The overarching aims of my research are to use state-of-the-art methods to (1) develop well-validated, theory-based assessment tools, (2) identify who may develop adaptive vs. maladaptive behaviours and why, (3) examine the context (e.g., motivations) that may differentiate between given behaviours' positive and negative outcomes, and (4) develop innovative, early interventions.
Research
International Sex Survey (ISS): The ISS examines problematic, compulsive, and non-problematic sexual behaviours. Data were collected from 82,243 participants in 42 countries, including diverse populations. This is the first study systematically examining compulsive sexual behaviours worldwide, providing freely available standardized assessment tools in 26 languages, and identifying the most important risk factors of compulsive sexual behaviours that can be used to develop culturally sensitive prevention and intervention programs.
Uncovering the Most Robust Predictors of Problematic Pornography Use with Machine Learning Study: This study combines the efforts of 74 data collections (100,000+ participants from 17 countries) on problematic pornography use (PPU) to provide robust evidence concerning which risk factors can best predict PPU among individuals. It contributes to a better understanding of PPU and helps identify characteristics that may differentiate well between problematic and non-problematic pornography users.
The Effects of Pornography Use Frequency, Motivations, and Problematic Use on Sexual Wellbeing: A Dyadic Longitudinal Study with Adult Couples: This longitudinal study among more than 300 couples aims to understand how different sexual behaviours (including partnered sexual activities, masturbation, and pornography use) in the couple contribute to the sexual wellbeing of each partner.
Hands-Off: Development, Feasibility, and Efficacy of a Novel Online Intervention for the Reduction of Problematic Pornography Use: This project aims to examine the feasibility and efficacy of a newly developed online intervention assisting individuals in addressing their issues with online pornography use, which may be impacting their lives negatively.
Publications
- Bőthe, B., Koós, M., Nagy, L., Kraus, S. W., Demetrovics, Z., Potenza, M. N., …Vaillancourt-Morel, M-P. (2023). Compulsive sexual behavior disorder in 42 countries: Insights from the International Sex Survey and introduction of standardized assessment tools. Journal of Behavioral Addictions, 1-15.
https://doi.org/10.1556/2006.2023.00028
- Bőthe, B., Vaillancourt-Morel, M-P., Dion, J., Paquette, M-M., Massé-Pfister, M., Tóth-Király, I., & Bergeron, S. (2022). A longitudinal study of adolescents’ pornography use frequency, motivations, and problematic pornography use before and during the COVID-19 pandemic. Archives of Sexual Behavior, 51, 139-156.
https://doi.org/10.1007/s10508-021-02282-4
- Bőthe, B., Baumgartner, C., Schaub, M. P., Demetrovics, Z., & Orosz, G. (2021). Hands-off: Feasibility and preliminary results of a two-armed randomized controlled trial of a web-based self-help tool to reduce problematic pornography use. Journal of Behavioral Addictions, 10(4), 1015-1035.
https://doi.org/10.1556/2006.2021.00070
- Bőthe, B., Vaillancourt-Morel, M-P., & Bergeron, S. (2021). Hypersexuality in mixed-sex couples: A dyadic longitudinal study. Archives of Sexual Behavior, 50, 2139-2150. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10508-021-01959-0
- Bőthe, B., Vaillancourt-Morel, M-P., & Bergeron, S. (2021). Associations between pornography use frequency, pornography use motivations, and sexual wellbeing in couples. Journal of Sex Research, 59(4), 457-471.
https://doi.org/10.1080/00224499.2021.1893261
- Bőthe, B., Tóth-Király, I., Griffiths, M. D., Potenza, M. N., Orosz, G, & Demetrovics, Z. (2021). Are sexual functioning problems associated with frequent pornography use and/or problematic pornography use? Results from a large community survey including males and females. Addictive Behaviors, 112(106603), 1-9.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.addbeh.2020.106603
- Bőthe, B., Tóth-Király, I., Bella, N., Potenza, M. N., Demetrovics, Z., & Orosz, G. (2021). Why do people watch pornography? The motivational basis of pornography use. Psychology of Addictive Behaviors, 35(2), 172-186.
https://doi.org/10.1037/adb0000603
- Bőthe, B., Lonza, A., Štulhofer, A., & Demetrovics, Z. (2020). Symptoms of problematic pornography use in a sample of treatment considering and treatment non-considering men: A network approach. Journal of Sexual Medicine, 17(10), 2016-2028. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jsxm.2020.05.030
- Bőthe, B., Tóth-Király, I., Potenza, M. N., Orosz, G., & Demetrovics, Z. (2020). High-frequency pornography use may not always be problematic. Journal of Sexual Medicine, 17(4), 793-811. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jsxm.2020.01.007
- Bőthe, B., Vaillancourt-Morel, M-P., Bergeron, S., & Demetrovics, Z. (2019). Problematic and non-problematic pornography use among LGBTQ adolescents: A systematic literature review. Current Addiction Reports, 6, 478-494.
https://doi.org/10.1007/s40429-019-00289-5