Conceptualisation, évaluation et traitement de la dépendance cybersexuelle : Une revue de la littérature

The purpose of this article is to propose a critical review of current knowledge concerning cybersexual dependence (definition, epidemiology, evaluation and treatment). There is, in fact, a lack of consensus concerning the conceptualization of this disorder. This lack of conceptual clarity is largely due to the existence of a multitude of definitions of the disorder, a significant variety of sexual behaviours concerned and of symptomatologies, and because of methodological problems in the existing research (samples and evaluation tools that are strongly heterogeneous in different studies). Given the context, this article seeks to clarify the state of knowledge concerning cybersexual dependence. We will also make an inventory of empirically validated treatment methods for sexual and cybersexual dependence and we will propose approaches for future research. A non-systematic narrative review was conducted to examine and summarize the English and French literature dealing with cybersexual dependence. That review was carried out using a keyword search for sexual and cybersexual dependence in the data bases of PsycINFO, ISI Web of Science and Francis. Particular attention was paid to articles evaluating risk factors involved in sexual dependence, as well as articles that suggest treatment approaches for the disorder. © 2014 Canadian Psychological Association