Problematic use of cybersexuality: An integrative psychological model

From the beginning of Internet development, numerous sites of a sexual character have been created and used by multiple users. Some of those users represent a problematic use of cybersexuality and develop online sexual behaviour of an excessive and/or addictive nature. A field of research focused on this population has recently emerged, seeking in particular to identify risk factors involved and the underlying psychological processes. However, these factors are often examined in isolation, so that it is not possible to provide an exhaustive and integrated description of this multi-factor problematic behaviour. The goal of this article is to propose, based on existing literature, an integrated and procedural model of the psychological factors involved in the problematic use of cybersexuality, in part, to structure future research into this subject by targeting the processes centrally involved, and to better evaluate and offer treatment, in a clinical context, to patients who present this type of problem.