Graduate Thesis Or Dissertation
 

How Straight Married Men in Sexual Addiction Recovery Experience Healthy Sexuality, Now as Recovering Sex Addicts: Two IPA Studies on Straight Married Men and Their Experience of Healthy Sexuality Through Recovery

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  • This set of studies delve into the complex realm of healthy sexuality within sexual addiction treatment, where diverse perspectives often lead to confusion and suboptimal outcomes. The primary goal of most treatment models is guiding clients toward a healthier sexual experience. Sex addiction, a complex phenomenon, involves compulsive sexual behaviors, influenced by brain-related changes driven by the accessibility of sexual stimuli, particularly pornography, and the role of dopamine. The classification of sex addiction sparks debates due to the lack of a specific DSM-5 category; yet criteria exhibit surprising consistency. Recent research underscores that recovery from sexual addiction involves addressing both emotional and psychological dimensions, in addition to behavioral changes that surpass mere abstinence. The intricacies surrounding the definition of healthy sexuality for recovering sex addicts result in limited research, particularly among straight, married men in the context of their recovery, posing challenges for clinicians. This dissertation focuses on the experiences of straight, married, men recovering from sexual addiction, who offer unique insights into the potential for healthy sexuality during recovery. Through interpretative phenomenological analysis (IPA), eight participants provided in-depth perspectives shaped by their life experiences. The central research question guiding the first study was, how do straight, married men in recovery for a sexual addiction experience healthy sexuality? The central research question guiding the second study was, how do straight, married men in recovery for a sexual addiction experience healthy sexuality in within their relationship? The criteria for participant selection included self-identification as straight, male, married, a minimum 12-month engagement in sexual addiction recovery, and the experience of healthy sexuality. Data trustworthiness was ensured by using established IPA techniques such as pilot testing, reflexivity, split-group member checking, prolonged engagement, thick description, peer debriefing, referential adequacy, and maintaining an audit trail. The first study (n = 8) explored the lived experiences of straight, married men and how they experience healthy sexuality as a recovering sex addict. The study’s findings indicate that these men experience healthy sexuality as (a) a holistic practice encompassing a harmonious balance between the mind, body, and spirit, ultimately leading to a sense of fulfillment, joy, and freedom; (b) a transformative journey in self-discovery, resulting in and relying upon self-esteem, self-confidence, and self-love; (c) resilience and persistence in the struggle against limiting beliefs, shame, and past conditioning; (d) a mindful and purposeful engagement with a reality-centered life, actively embracing self-awareness, grounding oneself in the present moment, and consistently showing up; and (e) embracing differentiation that enables establishing and honoring personal boundaries as an integral part of active self-management and a conscious and self-determined expression of values, requiring integrity and accountability for responsible behavior. The second study (n = 8) explored the lived experiences of straight, married men and how they experience healthy sexuality as a recovering sex addict within their relationship. The study’s findings indicate that these men experience healthy sexuality within their relationship as (a) rebuilding trust, deepened by understanding and empathy, and anchored in emotional maturity; (b) an ongoing committed effort in the face of challenges; (c) courageous personal disclosure leading to emotional growth individually and collectively; and (d) a deeply intimate and monogamous connection with their wife, built on communication and emotional presence and physical intimacy unburdened by the need for performance resulting in pleasure, satisfaction, and the joy of play. The findings of this study have wide implications for clinicians, supervisors, counselor-educators, researchers, and the sex addiction community. It invites further research and a nuanced understanding of the experiential aspects of healthy sexuality within sustained recovery.
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