Childhood Sexual Abuse, Attachments in Childhood and Adulthood, and Coercive Sexual Behaviors in Community Males

Sexual Abuse ◽  
2016 ◽  
Vol 29 (3) ◽  
pp. 207-238 ◽  
Author(s):  
Calvin M. Langton ◽  
Zuwaina Murad ◽  
Bianca Humbert
Keyword(s):  
Sexual Abuse ◽  
Sexual Behavior ◽  
Childhood Sexual Abuse ◽  
Attachment Style ◽  
Sexual Behaviors ◽  
Attachment Styles ◽  
Childhood Adversity ◽  
Romantic Partners ◽  
And Control ◽  
Coercive Sexual Behavior

Associations between self-reported coercive sexual behavior against adult females, childhood sexual abuse (CSA), and child–parent attachment styles, as well as attachment with adult romantic partners, were examined among 176 adult community males. Attachment style with each parent and with romantic partners was also investigated as a potential moderator. Using hierarchical multiple regression analysis, avoidant attachment with mothers in childhood (and also with fathers, in a second model) accounted for a significant amount of the variance in coercive sexual behavior controlling for scores on anxious ambivalent and disorganized/disoriented attachment scales, as predicted. Similarly, in a third model, avoidance attachment in adulthood was a significant predictor of coercive sexual behavior controlling for scores on the anxiety attachment in adulthood scale. These main effects for avoidant and avoidance attachment were not statistically significant when CSA and control variables (other types of childhood adversity, aggression, antisociality, and response bias) were added in each of the models. But the interaction between scales for CSA and avoidance attachment in adulthood was significant, demonstrating incremental validity in a final step, consistent with a hypothesized moderating function for attachment in adulthood. The correlation between CSA and coercive sexual behavior was .60 for those with the highest third of avoidance attachment scores (i.e., the most insecurely attached on this scale), .24 for those with scores in the middle range on the scale, and .01 for those with the lowest third of avoidance attachment scores (i.e., the most securely attached). Implications for study design and theory were discussed.

scholarly journals Self-Reported Sexual Behavioral Similarities and Differences Among Young Men Who Have Sex With Men With Childhood Sexual Abuse Histories: A Qualitative Exploratory Study

2020 ◽  
Vol 14 (4) ◽  
pp. 155798832094935
Author(s):  
Roberta E. Emetu ◽  
William L. Yarber ◽  
Catherine M. Sherwood-Laughlin ◽  
Alexis S. Brandt
Keyword(s):  
Sexual Abuse ◽  
Sexual Behavior ◽  
Childhood Sexual Abuse ◽  
Sexual Behaviors ◽  
Young Men ◽  
Anal Intercourse ◽  
Casual Sex ◽  
Unprotected Sex ◽  
History Of ◽  
Sex With Men

Young men who have sex with men (YMSM) have the highest burden of sexually transmitted infections (STIs), including HIV. Childhood sexual abuse (CSA) is a risk factor for high-risk sexual behavior and STI acquisition. Studies that have explored sexual behavior based on the type of reported sexual abuse are limited. This study aimed to further understand current sexual behaviors and perceptions among YMSM that have experienced different types of CSA. Sixteen YMSM who were survivors of CSA were interviewed utilizing a phenomenological conceptual framework and methodology. Thematic findings were divided into two parts. Part I gave an overview of the entire sample, and themes were as follows: unprotected oral sex used to evaluate penile abnormalities, trust promoting unprotected sex, and alcohol and other drugs not cited as the reason for casual sex. Part II demonstrated the differences among those with a history of CSA involving non-penile–anal intercourse and those with a history of CSA involving penile–anal intercourse. The major themes in Part II were that victims of CSA involving penile–anal intercourse reported the following: a hypersexual self-definition, an STI diagnosis and noncondom use history, and a third sexual partner during sexual activity. Based on the findings, early life experiences such as CSA should be considered when developing preventative sexual health strategies and individuals who experienced penetrative sexual abuse may have different needs which should be further explored.

scholarly journals ATTACHMENT STYLES AND RISKY SEXUAL BEHAVIORS IN ADOLESCENTS

2021 ◽  
Vol 79 (6) ◽  
pp. 928-941
Author(s):  
Walter Odera Owino ◽  
Newton Mukholwe Asakhulu ◽  
Jonathan Muema Mwania ◽  
Rose Mwanza
Keyword(s):  
Sexual Behavior ◽  
Attachment Style ◽  
Sexual Behaviors ◽  
Risky Sexual Behavior ◽  
Attachment Styles ◽  
Attachment Anxiety ◽  
Secure Attachment ◽  
Sexually Transmitted ◽  
Unwanted Pregnancies ◽  
Preoccupied Attachment

Infection with sexually transmitted diseases and unwanted pregnancies are risks associated with adolescents’ risky sexual behavior. Mental models of attachment relationships influence behavior and may influence adolescents’ involvement in sexual activities that are risky. This study explored whether attachment styles predicted adolescents’ involvement in risky sexual behavior. A correlational study design was adopted with 367 students from public secondary schools in Nairobi County taking part in the study. The Attachment Styles Questionnaire and Risky Sexual Behavior Scale were used to collect data. Multiple regression analysis was used to determine whether secure, preoccupied, dismissing or fearful attachment styles predicted students’ risky sexual behavior. The study found that preoccupied attachment style and secure attachment style had predictive effects on risky sexual behavior. Preoccupied attachment style was predictive of greater involvement in risky sexual behavior whereas secure attachment style was predictive of less risky sexual behavior. It was evident based on the findings that secure attachment style was protective against risky sexual behavior whereas preoccupied attachment style created vulnerability to risky sexual behavior. It was recommended that special attention should be paid to adolescents with insecure attachment styles in guidance and counseling programs aimed at discouraging adolescents’ risky sexual behavior and parents/guardians should be encouraged to be more nurturing towards their children in order to encourage formation of secure attachment which was protective against risky sexual behavior. Keywords: attachment styles, attachment avoidance, attachment anxiety, secure attachment, risky sexual behavior

The victimizing effect of violent socialization: Intimate partner use of coercive sexual practices transnationally

2021 ◽  
pp. 0306624X2199406
Author(s):  
Aimée X. Delaney
Keyword(s):  
Sexual Behavior ◽  
Dating Violence ◽  
Sexual Behaviors ◽  
Sexual Coercion ◽  
Intimate Partner ◽  
Sexual Practices ◽  
Violent Socialization ◽  
Childhood Violence ◽  
Predictive Processes ◽  
Coercive Sexual Behavior

Research seems to focus more on examining predictors of sexual victimization rather than violent experiences predicting coercive sexual behaviors. Little research explores victim to offender associations. The present study expands current literature by exploring transnational differences in which coercive sexual behaviors manifest from childhood violence experiences. Do experiences of violence during childhood impact the use of coercive sexual behaviors? Multilevel modeling regression analysis, used on data from the International Dating Violence Study, reveal several interesting findings: (1) violent socialization from families is associated with coercive sexual behavior, (2) violent socialization from the community is associated with coercive sexual behavior, and (3) nations where violent socialization is more prevalent, the average level of coercive sexual behaviors tends to increase. Identifying predictive processes for sexual coercion is important. Sexual coercion may be represented in subtle day to day interactions that over time instill a sense of violence normality and further perpetuate victimization.

scholarly journals The relationships of attachment style and social maladjustment to death ideation in depressed women with a history of childhood sexual abuse

2011 ◽  
Vol 68 (1) ◽  
pp. 78-87 ◽  
Author(s):  
Phillip N. Smith ◽  
Stephanie A. Gamble ◽  
Natalie A. Cort ◽  
Erin A. Ward ◽  
Yeates Conwell ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Sexual Abuse ◽  
Childhood Sexual Abuse ◽  
Attachment Style ◽  
Social Maladjustment ◽  
History Of Childhood ◽  
History Of

Avoidant and compulsive sexual behaviors in male and female survivors of childhood sexual abuse

2015 ◽  
Vol 40 ◽  
pp. 48-59 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marie-Pier Vaillancourt-Morel ◽  
Natacha Godbout ◽  
Chloé Labadie ◽  
Marsha Runtz ◽  
Yvan Lussier ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Sexual Abuse ◽  
Childhood Sexual Abuse ◽  
Sexual Behaviors ◽  
Male And Female ◽  
Female Survivors ◽  
Compulsive Sexual Behaviors

scholarly journals Childhood sexual abuse in males and subsequent risky sexual behavior: A potential alcohol-use pathway

2010 ◽  
Vol 34 (5) ◽  
pp. 369-378 ◽  
Author(s):  
Trevor J. Schraufnagel ◽  
Kelly Cue Davis ◽  
William H. George ◽  
Jeanette Norris
Keyword(s):  
Sexual Abuse ◽  
Sexual Behavior ◽  
Childhood Sexual Abuse ◽  
Alcohol Use ◽  
Risky Sexual Behavior

scholarly journals The Relation between Childhood Adverse Experiences and Disability Due to Mental Health Problems in a Community Sample of Women

2005 ◽  
Vol 50 (12) ◽  
pp. 778-783 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lil Tonmyr ◽  
Ellen Jamieson ◽  
Leslie S Mery ◽  
Harriet L MacMillan
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Sexual Abuse ◽  
Child Abuse ◽  
Childhood Sexual Abuse ◽  
Physical Abuse ◽  
Mental Health Problems ◽  
Community Sample ◽  
Childhood Adversity ◽  
Health Problems ◽  
Adverse Experiences

Objective: The objective of this study was to examine the association between selected childhood adverse experiences and disability due to mental health problems in a community sample of women. Variables of interest included childhood physical and sexual abuse, parental psychiatric and substance abuse history, and sociodemographic factors. Method: Girls and women (aged 15 to 64 years) from a province-wide community sample ( n = 4239) were asked about disability and most childhood adverse experiences through interview; a self-administered questionnaire inquired about child abuse. Logistic regression (crude and adjusted odds ratios) was used to test the associations between childhood adversity and disability due to mental health problems. Results: Approximately 3% of the women had a disability due to mental health problems. Among women with a disability, about 50% had been abused while growing up. After controlling for income and age, we found that disability showed the strongest association with childhood sexual abuse, physical abuse, and parental psychiatric disorder. Conclusion: Disability due to mental health problems was experienced by women with and without exposure to abuse in childhood. However, childhood sexual abuse and physical abuse were important correlates of disability. Disability creates suffering and loss for the individual and society; this issue merits more research in relation to child abuse.

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