Journal of Affective Disorders Reports (Apr 2024)
ADHD and hypersexual behaviors: The role of impulsivity, depressive feelings, hypomaniacal symptoms and psychotic prodromes
Abstract
Introduction: Numerous studies in the literature correlate hypersexual symptomatology and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). The present study aimed to investigate this correlation and the eventual mediation role of impulsivity. Methods: We recruited through an online platform a sample of 309 subjects (mean age = 34.5, SD = 15.4; females: 67.31 %); then, a sociodemographic questionnaire, together with validated psychometric scales for assessing hypersexuality, ADHD symptomatology, depression, hypomania, prodromal symptoms of psychosis and impulsivity were administered. Results: We found a significant association between ADHD symptomatology and hypersexuality symptoms (β = 0.459; p < 0.001). We found a significant predictive model of hypersexuality related to age, gender, depression, hypomanic symptoms, psychotic prodrome, ADHD symptomatology, and impulsivity (adjusted R2 = 0.311; p < .001). Moreover, we found that impulsivity is a significant mediator of the relationship between ADHD and hypersexuality when we considered only the hyperactive-impulsive ADHD subscale (β = 0.103; p = 0.006). Depression and psychotic prodromes have been shown a more relevant mediator effect on the relationship between ADHD and hypersexuality. Conclusions: Our results clarified the well-known relationship between ADHD and hypersexuality, suggesting a significant mediating role of psychotic prodromes and depression in this association. This finding further reinforces the view of hypersexual symptomatology not as a disorder but rather as a psychopathological manifestation of distress, a maladaptive coping strategy that individuals enact due to increased difficulties experienced in the environment. The role of impulsivity as a predictor has shown mixed results, revealing that difficulties in impulse control may play a more marginal role, compared to depressive symptomatology and psychotic prodromes, in determining hypersexuality.
