Avoidant Paruresis: An Exploratory Study

Information was gathered on the prevalence, correlates, and development of avoidant paruresis in males, the inability to urinate in the presence of others. Prevalence was found to be 6.8% based on a double screening starting with 381 college males. A reliable hierarchy of environmental cues related to avoidance was demonstrated. Avoiders differed from normals on self-reported interpersonal and performance anxiety, but not on sex-related items, introversion, or childhood family size. The most common age of onset was 12-15, and subjects viewed their problem as caused by anxiety and self-esteem factors. The findings thus suggest that this is a relatively common disorder, that it is anxiety based, and that specific treatment technologies relevant to anxiety should be explored.