1. Objectifs

Intentions :
«[T]his study aims to test a conceptual model suggesting that childhood abuse and neglect acts as a significant risk factor for the perpetration of physical and psychological IPV [intimate partner violence] via PTSD [posttraumatic stress disorder] and anger personality traits in individuals seeking sex therapy.» (p. 983)

2. Méthode

Échantillon/Matériau :
«[The study’s sample is composed of] a total of 114 individuals (53 men, 61 women) [from Montréal] consulting for sexual dysfunction (e.g., erectile dysfunction, premature ejaculation, dyspareunia, low desire, etc.) or sexual dissatisfaction.» (p. 986)

Instruments :
Questionnaire

Type de traitement des données :
Analyse statistique

3. Résumé

«Preliminary analyses showed that 82.5% of participants reported at least one form of abuse or neglect in childhood. This rate is exceptionally high considering that between 16% and 30% of the general population usually report childhood abuse or neglect […]. With regard to IPV, a quarter of the participants reported having inflicted physical violence toward an intimate partner and the majority (66%) disclosed at least one episode of psychological violence. […] In addition, and contrary to the experience of war veterans, the traumatic adversity experienced by survivors of childhood maltreatment often involves a significant adult who would normally have been expected to provide adequate care and affection. This relational nature of childhood trauma should not be circumvented, because for these survivors the threat was in the attachment relationship itself. Thus, the elaboration of new attachment bonds might be particularly challenging for survivors of child maltreatment, and they might be particularly at risk of deregulation of the anger system and violence within intimate relationships.» (p. 991-992)