title: Cumulative Childhood Trauma and Adult Sexual Satisfaction: Mediation by Affect Dysregulation and Sexual Anxiety in Men and Women.
abstract: Childhood cumulative trauma (CCT) refers to an amalgam of childhood maltreatment experiences that can lead to a range of symptoms and problems in adulthood. The current study examined an integrative model of CCT for its relevance to psychosexual adjustment in adult survivors. A total of 620 participants aged 18 years and over completed a questionnaire assessing early life experiences, affect dysregulation, sexual anxiety, and sexual satisfaction. Path analyses confirmed the hypothesis that CCT is associated with affect dysregulation and sexual anxiety that, in turn, predict lower levels of sexual satisfaction. The validity of this mediational model was demonstrated for different operationalizations of CCT. The results suggested that sex therapists, who are likely to encounter CCT survivors in their practice, should consider targeting affect dysregulation in their efforts to decrease sexual anxiety and increase sexual satisfaction.
authors.affiliation: a Department of Sexology , University of Quebec at Montreal , Montreal , Quebec , Canada.
authors.forename: Noémie
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Bigras
authors.affiliation: a Department of Sexology , University of Quebec at Montreal , Montreal , Quebec , Canada.
authors.forename: Marie-Ève
authors.initials: MÈ
authors.lastname: Daspe
authors.affiliation: a Department of Sexology , University of Quebec at Montreal , Montreal , Quebec , Canada.
authors.forename: Natacha
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Godbout
authors.affiliation: b Psychological Trauma Program, LAC+USC Medical Center , Los Angeles , California , USA.
authors.forename: John
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Briere
authors.affiliation: c School of Psychology, Laval University , Quebec City , Quebec , Canada.
authors.forename: Stéphane
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Sabourin
mesh_terms: D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000328:Adult; D054523:Adult Survivors of Child Abuse / Q000523:psychology*; D001007:Anxiety / Q000209:etiology / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007398:Interpersonal Relations; D008297:Male; D010549:Personal Satisfaction; D020377:Self Efficacy; D020018:Sexual Dysfunctions, Psychological / Q000209:etiology / Q000523:psychology*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D055815:Young Adult