1. Objectifs

Intentions :
The authors «first aimed to document the presence of CN [childhood neglect] in a convenience sample as well as examine how it relates to identity difficulties and sexual disturbances. […] Second, [they] aimed to examine the first integrative model of the mediator role of identity impairment in the relationship between CN and sexual disturbances in adulthood.» (p. 270)

Questions/Hypothèses :
The authors «expected that CN would be as prevalent in [their] sample as in other studies with non-clinical samples, and that [they] would observe significant associations with identity difficulties, sexual concerns and dysfunctional sexual behaviors.» (p. 270) They also «expected that people who experienced more CN would struggle with greater identity difficulties, which in turn, would be associated with more important sexual concerns and dysfunctional sexual behaviors.» (p. 270)

2. Méthode

Échantillon/Matériau :
«A convenience sample of 374 individuals aged 18 years or older recruited online through a link posted on Facebook (Facebook page of the research lab and research team personal profiles) and distributed through a psychology research listserv was used.» (p. 270) «Participants were between 18 and 68 years old […], with most of the sample being women (73.4%, n=278). Most participants reported French as their first language […]. Most participants were born in Canada (90.1%) […].» (p. 270)

Instruments :
Questionnaire

Type de traitement des données :
Analyse statistique

3. Résumé

«The hypothesized mediational role of identity difficulties in the relationship between CN and sexual disturbances was supported by the findings. More precisely, path analyses confirmed that more CN was both directly and indirectly associated with greater sexual concerns in adulthood, and indirectly associated with dysfunctional sexual behaviors, through identity difficulties, while taking into account CSA [child sexual abuse] and relationship status.» (p. 275-276) «These results suggest that, years after having experienced neglect from attachment figures, it can still influence a person’s sexual life through its repercussions on impaired identity. By not receiving sufficient care and attention from their caregivers, survivors may have internalized that they are not important to others and have little personal value, altering the development of a solid sense of self […].» (p. 276) «In addition, an emotionally or physically unavailable parent may interfere with the development of the child’s mentalization abilities. The development of the child’s sense of self and the child’s understanding of own and others’ mental states could be thought as essential skills for a positive and healthy sexuality later on.» (p. 276)