The association between childhood sexual abuse and adult female sexual difficulties

Abstract

Childhood sexual abuse (CSA) has been associated with a number of long-term negative consequences, including depression, anxiety and psychosomatic symptomology. Sexual trauma has also been linked to problematic sexual functioning and sexual behaviour in adulthood. This paper critically evaluates the current literature on CSA and adult sexuality and identifies the main sexual difficulties experienced by women with a history of CSA. The authors also present a preliminary theoretical model of the association between CSA and problematic sexual outcome. This model takes into consideration literature that directly critiques previous models of association and identifies important factors that have not adequately been accounted for in the reviewed literature.

Keywords:

• sexual abuse
• sexual dysfunction
• sex therapy
• coping strategies
• sexuality