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Cassioli E, Tarchi L, Rossi E, Faldi M, Dani C, Giuranno G, Siviglia S, Baroncelli A, Maggi M, Vignozzi L, Giraldi A, Ricca V, Castellini G. Early traumatic experiences are linked to hypersexual behavior and erectile dysfunction in men through the mediation of body uneasiness and general psychopathology. J Sex Med 2024; 21:635-647. [PMID: 38778740 DOI: 10.1093/jsxmed/qdae058] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/13/2023] [Revised: 04/11/2024] [Accepted: 05/03/2024] [Indexed: 05/25/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Childhood traumatic experiences have been associated with hypersexuality and sexual dysfunctions. However, the mediators of the interactions between these variables should be clarified in men. AIM This study aimed to investigate the interaction of early traumatic experiences, psychopathology, and sexuality with respect to erectile dysfunction (ED) and hypersexual behavior. The hypothesized model expected that traumatic experiences would be associated with hypersexual behavior and reduced sexual functioning through the mediation of body uneasiness and psychological distress. METHODS The study was cross-sectional and observational. A total of 317 men were enrolled. Male patients with a primary complaint of ED and an indication for psychiatry referral represented the clinical sample (n = 116; mean ± SD age, 42.82 ± 16.89 years). Clinical classification was assessed with the Structured Interview on Erectile Dysfunction. The second sample (n = 201, 30.82 ± 11.94 years) was recruited from the general population. All participants were administered the following questionnaires: Brief Symptom Inventory, Childhood Trauma Questionnaire-Short Form, Hypersexual Behavior Inventory, Body Uneasiness Test-A, and 5-item International Index of Erectile Function. OUTCOMES Psychopathology and sexual functioning were assessed by a dimensional approach, and a multivariate model was computed by structural equation model analysis. RESULTS When compared with the sample from the general population, the clinical sample exhibited a higher prevalence of early traumatic experiences, as measured by scores on the Childhood Trauma Questionnaire-Short Form (45.08 ± 14.25 vs 39.03 ± 10.22, F = 17.63, P < .001), and a higher tendency to engage in hypersexual behaviors (34.63 ± 13.55 vs 30.79 ± 12.44, F = 6.97, P < .01). Structural equation model analysis showed excellent fit indices indicating that early traumatic experiences predicted hypersexual behaviors and ED through the exacerbating mediating effect of body uneasiness and psychopathology. CLINICAL IMPLICATIONS Clinicians should not limit their attention to the behavioral level when assessing sexual dysfunction in men; rather, they should also consider the complex psychopathologic consequences of childhood trauma. Integrated treatments that address the potential presence of childhood trauma with its wider psychological correlates (eg, emotion dysregulation, body uneasiness) might improve treatment response. STRENGTHS AND LIMITATIONS The study reports novel data on the relationship among childhood maltreatment, male sexuality, and psychopathologic mediators with a dimensional assessment. However, the assessment was cross-sectional, and causality was mainly derived from previous studies. CONCLUSION The present study enriches the current literature, strengthening the hypothesis that childhood traumatic experiences significantly shape development and sexuality. Body uneasiness and psychopathology can both tax sexual functioning, as assessed by erectile functioning or hypersexuality.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emanuele Cassioli
- Psychiatry Unit, Department of Health Sciences, University of Florence, Florence, 50100, Italy
| | - Livio Tarchi
- Psychiatry Unit, Department of Health Sciences, University of Florence, Florence, 50100, Italy
| | - Eleonora Rossi
- Psychiatry Unit, Department of Health Sciences, University of Florence, Florence, 50100, Italy
| | - Marco Faldi
- Psychiatry Unit, Department of Health Sciences, University of Florence, Florence, 50100, Italy
| | - Cristiano Dani
- Psychiatry Unit, Department of Health Sciences, University of Florence, Florence, 50100, Italy
| | - Gabriele Giuranno
- Psychiatry Unit, Department of Health Sciences, University of Florence, Florence, 50100, Italy
| | - Serena Siviglia
- Psychiatry Unit, Department of Health Sciences, University of Florence, Florence, 50100, Italy
| | - Andrea Baroncelli
- Psychiatry Unit, Department of Health Sciences, University of Florence, Florence, 50100, Italy
| | - Mario Maggi
- Andrology, Women's Endocrinology and Gender Incongruence Unit, "Mario Serio" Department of Experimental and Clinical Biomedical Sciences, University of Florence, Florence, 50100, Italy
| | - Linda Vignozzi
- Andrology, Women's Endocrinology and Gender Incongruence Unit, "Mario Serio" Department of Experimental and Clinical Biomedical Sciences, University of Florence, Florence, 50100, Italy
| | - Annamaria Giraldi
- Sexological Clinic, Mental Health Center Copenhagen, Copenhagen University Hospital-Mental Health Services CPH, Copenhagen, 2200, Denmark
- Department of Clinical Medicine, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, 2200, Denmark
| | - Valdo Ricca
- Psychiatry Unit, Department of Health Sciences, University of Florence, Florence, 50100, Italy
| | - Giovanni Castellini
- Psychiatry Unit, Department of Health Sciences, University of Florence, Florence, 50100, Italy
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Bödicker C, Reinckens J, Höfler M, Hoyer J. Is Childhood Maltreatment Associated with Body Image Disturbances in Adulthood? A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. JOURNAL OF CHILD & ADOLESCENT TRAUMA 2022; 15:523-538. [PMID: 35958701 PMCID: PMC9360384 DOI: 10.1007/s40653-021-00379-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 06/17/2021] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE We aimed to synthesize the evidence for an association between childhood maltreatment and body image disturbances in adulthood. Information on maltreatment subtypes and mediator variables was included to gain further insights into the mechanisms of the association. In addition, we aimed to examine the role of body image disturbances in the development of negative mental health outcomes associated with childhood maltreatment. METHODS Based on a comprehensive search strategy, eligible studies were identified in PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science. The eligibility assessment was performed by two reviewers, and 132 articles were studied full-text. To reduce heterogeneity, only non-clinical samples were included in the meta-analysis. A meta-regression was computed to examine the influence of maltreatment subtype on body image disturbances. RESULTS Our results provide evidence for a robust association between childhood maltreatment and cognitive-affective body image, both in clinical and community samples. Included studies (N = 40) indicate that body image disturbances are especially pronounced in individuals suffering from Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) after childhood maltreatment. The meta-analysis included 12 studies with a total of 15.481 participants, and indicates a small overall effect size (r = 0.21, 95% CI = [0.16, 0.26], p < .001). Meta-regression revealed no significant impact of maltreatment subtype in non-clinical samples. CONCLUSION Childhood maltreatment should be considered as a distal risk factor for the development of a negative cognitive-affective body image. We argue for future longitudinal studies which allow a better understanding of the pathways linking childhood maltreatment, body image disturbances and associated psychopathology. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s40653-021-00379-5.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christine Bödicker
- Institute for Clinical Psychology and Psychotherapy, Technical University of Dresden, Dresden, Germany
| | - Jonas Reinckens
- Institute for Clinical Psychology and Psychotherapy, Technical University of Dresden, Dresden, Germany
| | - Michael Höfler
- Institute for Clinical Psychology and Psychotherapy, Technical University of Dresden, Dresden, Germany
| | - Jürgen Hoyer
- Institute for Clinical Psychology and Psychotherapy, Technical University of Dresden, Dresden, Germany
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Wenninger K, Heiman JR. Relating body image to psychological and sexual functioning in child sexual abuse survivors. J Trauma Stress 1998; 11:543-62. [PMID: 9690192 DOI: 10.1023/a:1024408830159] [Citation(s) in RCA: 59] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
Cognitive-affective body image variables and their relation to long-term psychological and sexual functioning were investigated in a community sample of 57 female adult child sexual abuse (CSA) survivors and 47 comparison subjects. The Body-Self Relations Questionnaire and the Body Esteem Scale were administered to assess cognitive-affective body image. Group comparisons indicated that, after controlling for actual weight status, survivors evaluated their health more negatively and reported less body esteem regarding their sexual attractiveness than comparison subjects. Body image variables related to health and sexual attractiveness significantly explained variance on symptom measures that reflect the diverse CSA long-term sequelae. Results suggest the need for careful assessment of body image disturbances and the development of effective interventions targeting body image in the treatment of CSA survivors.
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Affiliation(s)
- K Wenninger
- Department of Psychiatry & Behavioral Sciences, University of Washington, Seattle 98105, USA
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