Avoidant and compulsive sexual behaviors in male and female survivors of childhood sexual abuse
Date
2015
Journal Title
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Publisher
Child Abuse & Neglect
Abstract
The main objectives of this study were to test a theory-based mediation model in which the
relation between childhood sexual abuse (CSA) and dyadic adjustmentis mediated through
adult sexual avoidance and sexual compulsivity and to examine the gender-invariance of
this model. A sample of 686 adults currently involved in a close relationship completed
online self-report computerized questionnaires. Prevalence of CSA was 20% in women and
19% in men. In line with our hypotheses, path analyses and structural equation analyses
showed that, for both women and men, CSA was associated with more sexual avoidance
and sexual compulsivity, which, in turn, predicted lower couple adjustment. Overall, these
findings suggest that both avoidant and compulsive sexuality are relevant intervention
targets with couples in which one or both partners are CSA survivors.
© 2014 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
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Keywords
child sexual abuse, sexual behavior, Dyadic adjustment, Sexual compulsivity, Sexual avoidance
Citation
Vaillancourt-Morel, M. P., Godbout, N., Labadie, C., Runtz, M., Lussier, Y., & Sabourin, S. (2015). Avoidant and compulsive sexual behaviors in male and female survivors of childhood sexual abuse. Child Abuse & Neglect, 40, 48-59.