Dysregulation of emotion (DE) is commonly seen in individuals suffering from compulsive sexual behavior (CSB), as well as represents a crucial element of its common comorbidities like mood, anxiety, and substance use disorders. To investigate the links between CSB and DE. A review of pertinent literature on CSB and DE was performed using EBSCO, PubMed, and Google Scholar databases. Patterns of DE were evaluated as a common clinical feature, underlying mechanisms, as well as a target for psychological and pharmacological interventions in CSB. Across different conceptualizations of CSB, DE represents the core element of a failure to cope with sexual impulses, thoughts, urges, or resulting uncontrolled sexual behaviors. DE may contribute to the occurrence of CSB while for individuals affected by this condition, sexual arousal and release act as an easier/learned (yet uncontrolled and leading to negative consequences) way of coping with negative mood states. CSB may represent a delusive form of self-regulation. Experience of child sexual abuse and insecure attachment patterns are considered risk factors for CSB (likely to be mediated by DE) but require further investigation. DE is also positively associated with CSB symptom severity. Pharmacological treatments affecting mood regulation, anxiety, impulsivity, and regulation within the brain reward system have been reported to help people with CSB achieve better control over their sexual urges and behavior. However, the available data are scarce and well-powered randomized controlled trials are needed to support these observations. Although improvement in one's emotional self-regulation is considered as an important healing factor in treatment, its benefit in psychological therapies specific to CSB requires further investigation. DE represents a core symptom of compulsive sexual behavior disorder and related comorbidities as well as a predisposing factor to the development of compulsive sexual behavior disorder. Addressing DE may facilitate better treatment outcomes for patients with CSB. Lew-Starowicz M, Lewczuk K, Nowakowska I, et al. Compulsive Sexual Behavior and Dysregulation of Emotion. J Sex Med 2020;8:191-205.

Introduction: To date, multiple models of problematic pornography use have been proposed, but attempts to validate them have been scarce. Aim: In our study, we aimed to evaluate the Pornography Problems due to Moral Incongruence model proposing that self-appraisals of pornography addiction stem from (i) general dysregulation, (ii) habits of use, and (iii) moral incongruence between internalized norms and behavior. We investigated whether the model can be used to adequately explain the self-perceptions of addiction to pornography (model 1) and a broader phenomenon of problematic pornography use (model 2). Methods: An online, nationally representative study was conducted on a sample of 1036 Polish adult participants, of whom, 880 declared a lifetime history of viewing pornography. Main Outcome Measure: The outcomes were self-perceived pornography addiction, problematic pornography use, avoidant coping, frequency of pornography use, religiosity, moral disapproval of pornography, and related variables. Results: Our results indicated that avoidant coping (an indicator of general dysregulation), frequency of pornography use (indicator of habits of use), and the distress connected with incongruence between own sexual behavior and internalized norms, attitudes and beliefs positively contributed to self-perceived addiction (model 1) as well as problematic pornography use (model 2). This broadly confirms the basic shape of the PPMI model. There were, however, notable differences between the models. Moral incongruence related distress was only weakly related to self-perceived addiction (β = 0.15, P < .001), with a stronger relation for problematic pornography use (β = 0.31, P < .001). When controlling for other factors, religiosity weakly predicted problematic pornography use (β = 0.13, P < .001), but not self-perceived addiction to pornography (β = 0.03, P = .368). Frequency of pornography use was the strongest predictor of both self-perceived addiction (β = 0.52, P < .001) and problematic pornography use (β = 0.43, P < .001). Clinical Implications: Factors proposed within the PPMI model are distinctly relevant intervention targets, and they should be considered in the process of diagnosis and treatment. Strengths & Limitations: The presented study is the first to evaluate PPMI model. Its main limitation is that it has a cross-sectional design. Conclusion: The PPMI model is a promising framework for investigating the factors related to self-perceived addiction and problematic pornography use. Despite the differences between the models and in the strength of specific predictors, (i) dysregulation, (ii) habits of use, and (iii) moral incongruence all uniquely contribute to self-perceived addiction and problematic pornography use.

This article presents the results of a survey on yet under-researched aspects of remote learning and learning difficulties in higher education during the initial stage (March – June 2020) of the COVID-19 pandemic. A total of 2182 students from University of Warsaw in Poland completed a two-part questionnaire regarding academic achievements in the academic year 2019/2020, living conditions and stress related to learning and pandemic, as well as basic demographic information, andDyslexia Diagnosis Questionnaire(DDQ). The analyses were carried out in three sub-groups of students: who self-reported having a formal diagnosis of dyslexia (CDYS), self-reported reading difficulties, but had no formal diagnosis of dyslexia (SIDYS), and who reported no reading difficulties (CON). The results of the survey revealed that compared with the CON group, more students from CDYS and SIDYS groups did not pass at least one exam in the summer semester. CDYS and SIDYS groups experienced higher stress due to epidemiological restrictions, they had more difficulties than CON with the organisation of learning and obtaining credit during the COVID-19 pandemic. The results indicate a need for special consideration of additional support for students experiencing reading difficulties (whether or not they have a formal diagnosis).

Background: In the spring of 2020, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Polish government introduced a policy of social distancing. Being apart from one’s social network had the potential to evoke feelings of loneliness. The aim of the study was to find out how time perspectives might contribute to feeling lonely during the social distancing period, controlling for Big Five personality traits and perceived social support.Participants and procedure: The study was online, questionnaire-based and cross-sectional (N = 964) and was conducted among young adults (aged 18-35) at the end of the third week of social distancing in Poland.Results: The results suggested that the Past-Negative time perspective remained significant predictor of loneliness when controlling for Big Five traits and perceived social support. Emotional stability, extroversion and perceived social support were also significant predictors of low loneliness.Conclusions: Negative beliefs about the past may contribute to experiencing greater loneliness when being apart from one’s social network.