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Brown MJ, Osinubi MO, Amoatika D, Haider MR, Kirklewski S, Wilson P, Hansen NB. Childhood Sexual Abuse and Compulsive Sexual Behavior Among Men Who Have Sex with Men Newly Diagnosed with HIV. AIDS Behav 2024:10.1007/s10461-024-04438-4. [PMID: 38992227 DOI: 10.1007/s10461-024-04438-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 06/27/2024] [Indexed: 07/13/2024]
Abstract
Childhood sexual abuse (CSA) continues to be a public health challenge. The prevalence of experiencing CSA is higher among men who have sex with men (MSM) than the general population. CSA has been linked to compulsive sexual behavior (CSB) among varying populations but has not been examined among MSM who were newly diagnosed with HIV. Therefore, the aims of this study were to assess the direct association between CSA and CSB among newly diagnosed MSM living with HIV, and to identify the potential mediating roles of depressive symptoms and emotion regulation in the association between CSA and CSB. The study was a secondary data analysis using data obtained from 2012 to 2017 from two community HIV clinics in New York City (n = 202). CSA was operationalized with questions asking about sexual abuse during childhood/adolescence. CSB was measured using the 13-item Compulsive Sexual Behavior Inventory (CSBI). Depressive symptoms were measured using the 20-item Centers for Epidemiologic Studies Depression (CES-D) scale and emotion regulation was measured using a 36-item Difficulties in Emotion Regulation Scale (DERS). Path analysis was conducted to determine the mediating role of depressive symptoms and emotion regulation in the association between CSA and CSB. There was a statistically significant association between CSA and CSB (β = 0.160; p = 0.019). There were statistically significant indirect associations between CSA, depressive symptoms, emotion regulation, and CSB (depressive symptoms β = 0.0.071; p = 0.010; DERS: β = 0.080; p = 0.006). Depressive symptoms were also correlated with emotion regulation (r = 0.596; p < 0.001). The relationship between CSA and CSB was significantly mediated by depressive symptoms and emotion regulation. Trauma-informed interventions addressing depressive symptoms and difficulties in emotion regulation may help to reduce CSB among MSM living with HIV.
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Affiliation(s)
- Monique J Brown
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Arnold School of Public Health, University of South Carolina, 915 Greene Street, Columbia, South Carolina, USA.
- Arnold School of Public Health, South Carolina SmartState Center for Healthcare Quality, University of South Carolina, Columbia, South Carolina, USA.
- Rural and Minority Health Research Center, Arnold School of Public Health, University of South Carolina, Columbia, South Carolina, USA.
- Office for the Study on Aging, Arnold School of Public Health, University of South Carolina, Columbia, South Carolina, USA.
| | - Medinat Omobola Osinubi
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Arnold School of Public Health, University of South Carolina, 915 Greene Street, Columbia, South Carolina, USA
| | - Daniel Amoatika
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Arnold School of Public Health, University of South Carolina, 915 Greene Street, Columbia, South Carolina, USA
| | - Mohammad Rifat Haider
- Department of Health Policy and Management, College of Public Health, University of Georgia, Athens, Georgia
| | - Sally Kirklewski
- ENRICH Lab, Yale School of Public Health, New Haven, Connecticut, USA
| | - Patrick Wilson
- Department of Psychology, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Nathan B Hansen
- Department of Health Promotion and Behavior, College of Public Health, University of Georgia, Athens, Georgia
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Kaur A, Brown MJ, James TA, Nkwonta CA, Hart MJ. Stories of childhood sexual abuse (CSA) among older adults living with HIV (OALH) in South Carolina: a qualitative study. AIDS Care 2024; 36:272-279. [PMID: 37139537 PMCID: PMC10622329 DOI: 10.1080/09540121.2023.2208323] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/25/2022] [Accepted: 04/24/2023] [Indexed: 05/05/2023]
Abstract
Childhood sexual abuse (CSA) devastatingly impacts an individual's behavioral, psychological, and social health. Childhood, a developmental stage directly influenced by the home or school environment, leaves a life-long imprint. Compared with the general population, CSA prevalence is doubled among people living with HIV. Thus, the study aimed to explore CSA circumstances among older adults living with HIV (OALH) in South Carolina (SC). We included 24 OALH aged 50 and above who reported CSA. The data were collected at an immunology center in SC. In-depth semi-structured interviews were conducted, audio-recorded, transcribed, and analyzed using a thematic analysis approach. The iterative analytic process included a discussion of initial thoughts and key concepts, identification, and reconciliation of codes, and naming of emergent themes. Six themes emerged: known perpetrators, re-victimization, "nobody believed me", "cannot live like others", lack of CSA disclosure, and interconnections with other adverse childhood experiences (ACEs). CSA experiences and non-disclosure were found to be linked with shame, embarrassment, fear, and trust issues. Hence, trauma-focused interventions are required to resolve these issues and improve the quality of life of OALH with past trauma. Counseling or therapy programs should incorporate psychological and behavioral theoretical models to best target OALH who are CSA survivors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amandeep Kaur
- Department of Biostatistics and Epidemiology, Arnold School of Public Health, University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC, 29208
| | - Monique J. Brown
- Department of Biostatistics and Epidemiology, Arnold School of Public Health, University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC, 29208
- South Carolina SmartState Center for Healthcare Quality, Arnold School of Public Health, University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC
- Rural and Minority Health Research Center, Arnold School of Public Health, University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC
- Office for the Study on Aging, Arnold School of Public Health, University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC
| | - Titilayo A. James
- Department of Biostatistics and Epidemiology, Arnold School of Public Health, University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC, 29208
| | | | - Mackenzie J. Hart
- Department of Psychology, College of Arts and Sciences, University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC
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Vollman BK. When Did I Become a Victim? Exploring Narratives of Male Childhood Sexual Abuse. JOURNAL OF CHILD & ADOLESCENT TRAUMA 2021; 14:277-293. [PMID: 33986913 PMCID: PMC8099960 DOI: 10.1007/s40653-021-00346-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 02/01/2021] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
This report presents narrative data of adult men self-identifying as victims of sexual abuse occurring in childhood or adolescence (CSA). Preliminary data were derived from written public stories posted by men to the Internet (n = 90). Many of these accounts indicate same-sex sexual abuse (male victim, male perpetrator). The primary research question: "how have adult male victims of childhood sexual abuse constructed written narratives of victimization?" The men in this study who posted public narratives about their sexual abuse demonstrated evidence in of two (turmoil and taking control) of six life course themes uncovered by Draucker and Martsolf (2010). Two temporally related additional subthemes emerged within the category "taking control": during the abusive event/relationship and after abuse in adulthood. Understanding how male victims organize and make sense of the trajectory of their victim and/or survivor identity may contribute to a more integrated healing for victims. This could also shape programs for outreach and support. The result of the study would aid in the development of diagnostic tools and frameworks for interviewing abuse victims who are not publicly presenting or formally reporting their stories.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brenda K. Vollman
- Social Sciences, Human Services and Criminal Justice Department, Borough of Manhattan Community College, City University of New York, 199 Chambers Street, New York, NY 10007 USA
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