The relation between early abuse and adult sexuality

C. M. Meston, J. R. Heiman, and P. D. Trapnell
 Journal of Sex Research, 36(4):385 - 395, NOV 1999.

(Cindy M. Meston, Ph.D., Dept. of Psychology, Mezes Hall 330, University of Texas at Austin, TX 78712. meston@psy.utexas.edu)

One thousand and thirty-two (566 non-Asian; 466 Asian) undergraduates were assessed in a confidential laboratory setting regarding levels of physical abuse, emotional abuse, sexual abuse, neglect, and a wide range of sexuality variables. The purpose was to examine relationships between specific forms of early abuse and Inter adult sexuality, and to assess potential gender and ethnic differences in these associations.

Independent of other forms of abuse, sexual abuse in females was significantly positively related to sexual drive and experience, range of sexual fantasies, liberal sexual attitudes, frequency of intercourse and masturbation, and likelihood of engaging in unrestricted sexual behaviors and fantasies, and was negatively related to virginity status. [sic! :-) ]

Among males, emotional abuse was significantly associated with poor body image and sexual dissatisfaction, independent of the other forms of abuse. There were no significant differences in associations between early abuse and sexuality between persons of Southeast Asian and European ancestry.

I would have thought that the abstract would have been enough to raise curiosity, alas, it didn't. Isn't this nicely put:

Independent of other forms of abuse, sexual abuse in females was significantly positively related to sexual drive and experience, range of sexual fantasies, liberal sexual attitudes, frequency of intercourse and masturbation, and likelihood of engaging in unrestricted sexual behaviors and fantasies, and was negatively related to virginity status.

So this paper reports about research done with a sample of undergraduates in British Victoria, to which several instruments to measure abuse in childhood and youth (for sexual abuse only involuntary items) and present sexuality and self-worth were administered .

For females, sexual abuse had mostly the effect of increasing their activities; for males it had no significant effect, consistent with past research.

The researchers continue to question Finkelhor's model of sexual traumatisation, because no problems with sexual adjustment were found. They then turn to studies which take into account other variables, i.e., family environment, like Wiesniwski (1989) and Rind et al. (1997, 1998), and which are supported by other studies; pointing out the importance of third variables and the fine points of gender and associated expectations.

In summary this is a worthwhile study pointing to that kind of research that is all too often simply ignored.