From trauma to intimacy: Examining the link between childhood maltreatment and adult sexual functioning - The mediating role of self-criticism.

BACKGROUND

Childhood maltreatment has been linked to negative sexual functioning, but the underlying mechanisms for this association are poorly understood.

OBJECTIVE

Addressing this gap, this study investigates the mediating role of self-criticism in the association between childhood maltreatment and adult sexual functioning.

PARTICIPANTS AND

SETTING

Two independent studies were conducted, each utilizing a distinct dataset to enhance the robustness and generalizability of the findings. The sample in Study 1 included 914 participants, while the sample in Study 2 consisted of 451 women. Both samples completed self-report online questionnaires; however, in Study 2, we purposefully oversampled for child sexual abuse survivors.

METHODS

This study employed a mediation model using PROCESS.

RESULTS

Study 1 confirmed the negative association between childhood maltreatment and sexual functioning, as well as the positive association between childhood maltreatment and self-criticism. Self-criticism was also negatively associated with sexual functioning. The mediation analysis revealed that self-criticism significantly mediated the association between childhood maltreatment and sexual functioning. Study 2 built upon these findings by oversampling childhood sexual abuse survivors and incorporating comprehensive measures of sexual functioning. The results in Study 2 replicated the findings of Study 1, providing a more representative understanding of the link between childhood maltreatment and sexual functioning.

CONCLUSIONS

The findings highlight the importance of self-criticism as a potential mechanism underlying the negative impact of childhood maltreatment on sexual functioning in adulthood. This knowledge can inform interventions and therapeutic approaches aimed at addressing self-criticism and improving sexual well-being in individuals with a history of childhood maltreatment.