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Dugal C, Brassard A, Kusion PY, Lefebvre AA, Péloquin K, Godbout N. Romantic Attachment, Sex Motives and Sexual Difficulties in Emerging Adults: The Role of Childhood Interpersonal Victimization. J Sex Res 2024; 61:359-373. [PMID: 36378882 DOI: 10.1080/00224499.2022.2141676] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
A growing body of research has revealed that many emerging adults (i.e., aged 18 to 25) experience sexual difficulties. Past studies have emphasized the need to examine sexual difficulties by accounting for sex motives (i.e., reasons for engaging in sex) and by using a trauma-focused or attachment-based framework. This study examined the role of sex motives in the associations among attachment insecurities (anxiety, avoidance) and sexual difficulties in emerging adults, and assessed whether these links varied on the basis of low or high exposure to childhood interpersonal victimization (CIV) (i.e., 0-3 different types of CIV or 4 or more types of CIV). A sample of 437 French-Canadian emerging adults completed validated questionnaires online. Path analyses revealed that participants with higher attachment anxiety were more likely to endorse the partner approval sex motive, which was related to more sexual difficulties. Participants with higher attachment avoidance were less likely to endorse the pleasure sex motive, which was associated with more sexual difficulties. Results indicated a significant effect of CIV showing that some indirect effects were significant only in participants who reported high CIV exposure. Results suggest that addressing sex motives using an attachment- and trauma-focused framework might help understand, prevent and treat sexual difficulties among emerging adults.
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Affiliation(s)
- Caroline Dugal
- Département de Psychologie, Université de Sherbrooke, Sherbrooke, Québec, Canada
| | - Audrey Brassard
- Département de Psychologie, Université de Sherbrooke, Sherbrooke, Québec, Canada
| | - Pierre-Yves Kusion
- Département de Psychologie, Université de Sherbrooke, Sherbrooke, Québec, Canada
| | - Audrey-Ann Lefebvre
- Département de Psychologie, Université de Sherbrooke, Sherbrooke, Québec, Canada
| | - Katherine Péloquin
- Département de Psychologie, Université de Montréal, Montréal, Québec, Canada
| | - Natacha Godbout
- Département de Sexologie, Université du Québec à Montréal, Montréal, Québec, Canada
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Gehl K, Brassard A, Dugal C, Lefebvre AA, Daigneault I, Francoeur A, Lecomte T. Attachment and Breakup Distress: The Mediating Role of Coping Strategies. Emerg Adulthood 2024; 12:41-54. [PMID: 38124712 PMCID: PMC10727987 DOI: 10.1177/21676968231209232] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/23/2023]
Abstract
Breakups are common among emerging adults and are associated with elevated depressive and anxiety symptoms, especially in the presence of attachment insecurities. Previous authors have suggested that inadequate coping strategies might explain this association, yet this has not been examined longitudinally. This study examined the mediating role of five coping strategies (self-help, approach, accommodation, avoidance, self-punishment) in the longitudinal associations between attachment insecurities (anxiety, avoidance) and depressive and anxious symptoms in 196 emerging adults experiencing a romantic breakup. Measures of pre-breakup attachment, post-breakup coping strategies (one-month post-breakup), and depressive and anxiety symptoms (one- and three-month post-breakup) were administered. Results from a longitudinal autoregressive cross-lagged model showed that pre-breakup attachment insecurities were related to higher depressive and anxiety post-breakup symptoms through higher use of self-punishment and lower use of accommodation coping strategies. Findings highlight coping strategies as potential intervention targets to promote the recovery of emerging adults experiencing breakup distress.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kristin Gehl
- Department of Psychology, University of Sherbrooke, Sherbrooke, QC, Canada
- The Interdisciplinary Research Centre on Intimate Relationship Problems and Sexual Abuse
| | - Audrey Brassard
- Department of Psychology, University of Sherbrooke, Sherbrooke, QC, Canada
- The Interdisciplinary Research Centre on Intimate Relationship Problems and Sexual Abuse
| | - Caroline Dugal
- Department of Psychology, University of Sherbrooke, Sherbrooke, QC, Canada
- The Interdisciplinary Research Centre on Intimate Relationship Problems and Sexual Abuse
| | - Audrey-Ann Lefebvre
- Department of Psychology, University of Sherbrooke, Sherbrooke, QC, Canada
- The Interdisciplinary Research Centre on Intimate Relationship Problems and Sexual Abuse
| | - Isabelle Daigneault
- The Interdisciplinary Research Centre on Intimate Relationship Problems and Sexual Abuse
- Department of Psychology, University of Montreal, Montreal, Qc, Canada
| | - Audrey Francoeur
- The Interdisciplinary Research Centre on Intimate Relationship Problems and Sexual Abuse
- Department of Psychology, University of Montreal, Montreal, Qc, Canada
| | - Tania Lecomte
- The Interdisciplinary Research Centre on Intimate Relationship Problems and Sexual Abuse
- Department of Psychology, University of Montreal, Montreal, Qc, Canada
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St-Pierre Bouchard J, Brassard A, Lefebvre AA, Dugal C, Lafontaine MF, Savard C, Daspe MÈ, Péloquin K, Godbout N. Cumulative Childhood Trauma, Communication Patterns, and Intimate Partner Violence Perpetrated by Men Seeking Help. J Interpers Violence 2023; 38:6843-6864. [PMID: 36452964 PMCID: PMC10052413 DOI: 10.1177/08862605221138651] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
Intimate partner violence (IPV) is a complex and multifactorial public health problem associated with important physical and psychological repercussions. Recent studies suggest that cumulative childhood trauma (CCT) may be related to higher IPV perpetration through dysfunctional communication patterns, but to our knowledge, no study has tested this proposition in a clinical population. This study aimed to explore the direct and indirect links between CCT and perpetrated IPV through dysfunctional communication patterns among 577 men seeking help from community centers specializing in IPV. Prior to receiving services, participants completed a battery of questionnaires including validated brief measures of CCT (sexual, physical, and psychological abuse; physical and psychological neglect; witnessing of physical and psychological parental violence; bullying), communication patterns (demand/demand, partner demands/man withdraws, man demands/partner withdraws), and IPV (psychological, physical, coercive control). Results from a path analysis reveal that having sustained a higher number of different forms of childhood trauma is directly related to men's higher risk of perpetrating psychological IPV. CCT is also indirectly related to higher perpetrated psychological and physical IPV and coercive control through a higher report of the demand/demand communication pattern and a higher report of the man demands/partner withdraws communication pattern. The tested model explains 23% of the variance in psychological IPV, 6% of the variance in physical IPV, and 12% of the variance in coercive control. Results highlight the importance of assessing, in therapy, both distal and proximal variables associated with IPV, including the accumulation of many forms of childhood interpersonal trauma, and to tailor trauma-informed interventions that promote constructive communication strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Audrey Brassard
- University of Sherbrooke, QC, Canada
- The Interdisciplinary Research Centre on Intimate Relationship Problems and Sexual Abuse (CRIPCAS), QC, Canada
| | - Audrey-Ann Lefebvre
- University of Sherbrooke, QC, Canada
- The Interdisciplinary Research Centre on Intimate Relationship Problems and Sexual Abuse (CRIPCAS), QC, Canada
| | - Caroline Dugal
- University of Sherbrooke, QC, Canada
- The Interdisciplinary Research Centre on Intimate Relationship Problems and Sexual Abuse (CRIPCAS), QC, Canada
| | | | - Claudia Savard
- The Interdisciplinary Research Centre on Intimate Relationship Problems and Sexual Abuse (CRIPCAS), QC, Canada
- Laval University, Québec City, QC, Canada
| | - Marie-Ève Daspe
- The Interdisciplinary Research Centre on Intimate Relationship Problems and Sexual Abuse (CRIPCAS), QC, Canada
- University of Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Katherine Péloquin
- The Interdisciplinary Research Centre on Intimate Relationship Problems and Sexual Abuse (CRIPCAS), QC, Canada
- University of Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Natacha Godbout
- The Interdisciplinary Research Centre on Intimate Relationship Problems and Sexual Abuse (CRIPCAS), QC, Canada
- Université du Québec à Montréal, Canada
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Lefebvre AA, Audet A, Savard M, Mackay MC, Brassard A, Daspe MÈ, Lussier Y, Vaillancourt-Morel MP. A contemporary exploration of the relationship between attachment and sexual satisfaction: the role of technology-mediated sexual interaction. Sexual and Relationship Therapy 2022. [DOI: 10.1080/14681994.2022.2130231] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/10/2022]
Affiliation(s)
| | - Ariane Audet
- Department of Psychology, Université de Sherbrooke, QC, Canada
| | - Mathilde Savard
- Department of Psychology, Université de Sherbrooke, QC, Canada
| | | | - Audrey Brassard
- Department of Psychology, Université de Sherbrooke, QC, Canada
| | - Marie-Ève Daspe
- Department of Psychology, Université de Montréal, QC, Canada
| | - Yvan Lussier
- Department of Psychology, Université du Québec à Trois-Rivières, QC, Canada
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Dugal C, Brassard A, Claing A, Lefebvre AA, Audet A, Paradis-Lavallée R, Godbout N, Péloquin K. Attachment Insecurities and Sexual Coercion in Same- and Cross-Gender Couples: The Mediational Role of Couple Communication Patterns. J Sex Marital Ther 2021; 47:743-763. [PMID: 34296961 DOI: 10.1080/0092623x.2021.1944937] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
The use of subtle strategies to have sex with an unwilling partner is harmful to a couple's sexual well-being but these strategies remain understudied. This research examined the mediating role of communication patterns in the associations between attachment insecurities and sustained sexual coercion in 145 same- and cross-gender couples, and the moderating role of partners' gender. In addition to actor and partner effects, results revealed significant indirect effects from attachment insecurities to sexual coercion via communication patterns, with moderating effects of gender. Results may help practitioners and researchers understand the ways attachment insecurities and dysfunctional communication patterns can manifest in the experience of subtle forms of sexual coercion within couples.
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Affiliation(s)
- Caroline Dugal
- Département de psychologie, Université de Sherbrooke, Sherbrooke, Canada
| | - Audrey Brassard
- Département de psychologie, Université de Sherbrooke, Sherbrooke, Canada
| | - Aurélie Claing
- Département de psychologie, Université de Sherbrooke, Sherbrooke, Canada
| | | | - Ariane Audet
- Département de psychologie, Université de Sherbrooke, Sherbrooke, Canada
| | | | - Natacha Godbout
- Département de sexologie, Université du Québec à Montréal, Montréal, Canada
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