The overlooked relationship between subtle partner sexual violence and sexual dysfunction?

Abstract

Partner violence is a serious threat to the welfare of women. In this study, we aimed to investigate the role of all types of partner sexual violence, including the subtle type, in the occurrence of sexual dysfunction (SD) and changes in exposure frequency of partner sexual violence after the emergence of SD in our sample. The study included 80 women with SD who applied to the SD outpatient clinic (Group 1), 80 women without SD (Group 2), and 40 women with SD and did not apply to the clinic (Group 3). The violence experienced by women was measured with scales. The highest partner violence before SD was found in Group 3 and the lowest in Group 1 (p < 0.05). Women in groups 1 and 3 reported a significant increase in the frequency of all forms of sexual violence after the onset of SD (p < 0.05 for both). Women with SD according to FSFI were found to suffer from partner sexual violence at a 12.65 times greater rate than those without SD (p < 0.001). Our research shows that subtle partner sexual violence may also play a role in the emergence of SD.

LAY SUMMARY

Women experience partner sexual violence through implied and threatening manipulations rather than physical bullying. We aimed to show that these tactics are not as innocent as it seems. They affect women’s sexual health and relationship quality. In our research, we found that all kinds of sexual coercion are related to sexual problems, and women who have sexual problems are exposed to sexual coercion more.

Keywords:

• Partner violence
• sexual violence
• sexual dysfunction
• subtle sexual violence

Disclosure statement

The authors report there are no competing interests to declare.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Rengin Güvenç

Hasibe Rengin Güvenç, MD, psychiatrist. Her studies have focused on psychiatric symptoms that develop after sexual assaults. She is interested in women’s mental health, refugee mental health. She also works as a trauma therapist, sexual therapist, and dynamic psychotherapist. Since 2018, she has been a member of the Board of Directors of Sexual Education Treatment and Research Association (CETAD).

Münevver Hacıoğlu Yıldırım

Münevver Hacioglu Yildirim, Assoc. Prof. Dr, psychiatrist. She became an associate professor of psychiatry in 2018. She has been a member of the Board of Directors of Sexual Education Treatment and Research Association (CETAD), TPD (Turkish Psychiatric Association). She has also a trainer of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy of TPD and coordinator of Bakırköy Psychotherapy Training and Treatment Center Coordinator. Her research focuses on women’s health and sexual dysfunctions.

Ejder Akgün Yıldırım

Ejder Akgün Yıdırım, Prof. Dr, psyciatrist.  He became the founding coordinator of Turkey’s first community mental health center. He carried out forensic expertise and clinical mental health services after terrorist attacks in Turkey. He works as Bakırköy Psychotherapy Training and Treatment Center Coordinator. He is the Regional Coordinator of Supportive Psychotherapy Training of the Turkish Psychiatric Association, Trainer of the A. Özbek Psychodrama Institute and the head of the Trauma Committee, and founder of Bakırköy Trauma Therapies Group. Besides sexual and sexual dysfunctions, he has scientific publications in the fields of mental trauma, neuroscience, schizophrenia, and anxiety disorders. He has an EFS Psychosexual Therapist certificate. He is currently the chairman of the Board of Directors of Sexual Education Treatment and Research Association (CETAD) and a member of the CETAD Trainers Board.