title: Child sexual abuse: associations with the sexual functioning of adolescents and adults.
abstract: As we move into the 21st century, information about sex is widespread and more accessible to the general public than ever before. This interest in sex also increases the focus on symptoms and patterns associated with sexual problems. However, the etiology of sexual dysfunction is multifaceted and poorly understood. One factor that has received growing attention is the role that early sexual abuse plays in sexual development and later sexual functioning, and how these associations differ between males and females. Despite high prevalence rates of child sexual abuse (CSA), which occurs to approximately 1 in 3 females and 1 in 10 males under the age of 18, we do not completely understand the complexities of how and to what extent CSA affects sexual functioning. Nonetheless, the research highlights the need to recognize the potentially powerful influence that abusive childhood experiences contribute to sexual health, performance, and satisfaction. We review research on the relationship between CSA and adolescent and adult sexual functioning. We use a developmental framework to guide our understanding of the effects of CSA, as well as gender and ethnic differences, on the sexual functioning of male and female survivors.
authors.affiliation: University of California, Los Angeles, Department of Psychiatry and Biobehavioral Sciences, 90095-1759, USA. tloeb@mednet.ucla.edu
authors.forename: Tamra Burns
authors.initials: TB
authors.lastname: Loeb
authors.forename: John K
authors.initials: JK
authors.lastname: Williams
authors.forename: Jennifer Vargas
authors.initials: JV
authors.lastname: Carmona
authors.forename: Inna
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Rivkin
authors.forename: Gail E
authors.initials: GE
authors.lastname: Wyatt
authors.forename: Dorothy
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Chin
authors.forename: Agnes
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Asuan-O'Brien
mesh_terms: D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000293:Adolescent; D000294:Adolescent Behavior; D000328:Adult; D002648:Child; D002650:Child Abuse, Sexual / Q000523:psychology*; D019548:Crime Victims / Q000523:psychology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007398:Interpersonal Relations; D008297:Male; D000297:Psychology, Adolescent; D011606:Psychosexual Development; D012725:Sexual Behavior / Q000523:psychology*; D020018:Sexual Dysfunctions, Psychological / Q000209:etiology*; D012917:Social Adjustment; D014481:United States; D016387:Women's Health