1. Objectifs

Intentions :
«Based on previous research, the overall goal of this study was to test a theory-based mediation model in which the relation between CSA [childhood sexual abuse] and dyadic adjustment is mediated through adult sexual behaviors in a sample of men and women currently involved in a close relationship.» (p. 50)

Questions/Hypothèses :
«The main hypothesis of the present study was that, in women and men, sexual avoidance and sexual compulsivity play a mediational role between CSA and couple adjustment.» (p. 53)

2. Méthode

Échantillon/Matériau :
«All participants were French-speaking Canadians, 77% (n=529) were women and 23% (n=157) were men. The age of participants ranged from 18 to 77 years (M=27.51, SD=9.24).» (p. 51)

Instruments :
- Sexual Aversion Scale
- Sexual Compulsivity Scale

Type de traitement des données :
Analyse statistique

3. Résumé

«The major finding of this study concerns the mediators of the CSA–dyadic adjustment relationship. Sexual compulsivity and sexual avoidance mediated the relation between CSA and dyadic adjustment for both women and men. More precisely, CSA was associated with more sexual avoidance and sexual compulsivity, which, in turn, predicted lower couple adjustment. To our knowledge, this is the first study suggesting that, in CSA survivors, these two forms of sexual functioning are associated with couple satisfaction. […] However, our findings also show that sexual avoidance and compulsiveness are not mutually exclusive and that both groups of symptoms may co-occur within CSA survivors and help to explain couple dissatisfaction.» (p. 55)