The relationship between childhood sexual/physical abuse and sexual dysfunction in patients with social anxiety disorder

Abstract

Background: Childhood traumatic events are known as developmental factors for various psychiatric disorders.

Objective: The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of childhood sexual and physical abuse (CSA/CPA), and co-morbid depression on sexual functions in patients with social anxiety disorder (SAD).

Method: Data obtained from 113 SAD patients was analysed. Childhood traumatic experiences were evaluated using the Childhood Trauma Questionnaire, and the Arizona Sexual Experience Scale was used for the evaluation of the sexual functions. The data from interviews performed with SCID-I were used for determination of Axis I diagnosis. The Beck Anxiety Scale, Beck Depression Scale and Liebowitz Social Anxiety Scale were administered to each patient.

Results: History of childhood physical abuse (CPA) was present in 45.1% of the SAD patients, and 14.2% had a history of childhood sexual abuse (CSA). Depression co-diagnosis was present in 30.1% of SAD patients and 36.3% had sexual dysfunction. History of CSA and depression co-diagnosis were determined as two strong predictors in SAD patients (odds ratio (OR) for CSA, 7.83; 95% CI, 1.97–31.11; p = 0.003 and OR for depression, 3.66; 95% CI, 1.47–9.13; p = 0.005).

Conclusions: CSA and depression should be considered and questioned as an important factor for SAD patients who suffer from sexual dysfunction.

Keywords:

• Childhood trauma
• depression
• sexual dysfunction
• social anxiety disorder

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Disclosure of interest

No conflict of interest was declared by the authors.

Funding information

The authors declared that this study has received no financial support.