The Contribution of Sexual Attitudes and Experiences During Childhood and Adolescence to Adult Sexual Dysfunction

Abstract

A number of past studies have assessed aetiological factors associated with sexual dysfunction in women. Both past events and current factors have been shown to contribute to sexual dysfunction. The present study was designed to evaluate the influence of childhood and adolescent attitudes and experiences on sexual functioning during adulthood. Subjects were 59 women presenting for treatment of a sexual dysfunction. They were currently involved in a marital or de-facto relationship and had a mean age of 32.2 years. Sexual experience during adolescence was the best predictor of emerging sexual desire. Current levels of sexual desire were determined by adolescent attitudes towards sex and, to a lesser extent, traumatic sexual experiences during childhood. Degree of dysfunction was primarily predicted by adolescent attitudes towards sex and the experience of traumatic sexual events during adolescence. The implications of these findings in terms of a model of factors contributing to sexual functioning and therapy for the treatment of sexual dysfunction are discussed. Predictions are also made about levels of sexual dysfunction in the future based on current trends in adolescent attitudes and experiences and current levels of child sexual abuse.