@article{ref1,
title="From trauma to intimacy: Examining the link between childhood maltreatment and adult sexual functioning - The mediating role of self-criticism",
journal="Child abuse and neglect",
year="2024",
author="Lassri, Dana and Gewirtz-Meydan, Ateret",
volume="149",
number="",
pages="e106663-e106663",
abstract="BACKGROUND: Childhood maltreatment has been linked to negative sexual functioning, but the underlying mechanisms for this association are poorly understood. <br><br>OBJECTIVE: Addressing this gap, this study investigates the mediating role of self-criticism in the association between childhood maltreatment and adult sexual functioning. PARTICIPANTS AND SETTING: Two independent studies were conducted, each utilizing a distinct dataset to enhance the robustness and generalizability of the findings. The sample in Study 1 included 914 participants, while the sample in Study 2 consisted of 451 women. Both samples completed self-report online questionnaires; however, in Study 2, we purposefully oversampled for child sexual abuse survivors. <br><br>METHODS: This study employed a mediation model using PROCESS. <br><br>RESULTS: Study 1 confirmed the negative association between childhood maltreatment and sexual functioning, as well as the positive association between childhood maltreatment and self-criticism. Self-criticism was also negatively associated with sexual functioning. The mediation analysis revealed that self-criticism significantly mediated the association between childhood maltreatment and sexual functioning. Study 2 built upon these findings by oversampling childhood sexual abuse survivors and incorporating comprehensive measures of sexual functioning. The results in Study 2 replicated the findings of Study 1, providing a more representative understanding of the link between childhood maltreatment and sexual functioning. <br><br>CONCLUSIONS: The findings highlight the importance of self-criticism as a potential mechanism underlying the negative impact of childhood maltreatment on sexual functioning in adulthood. This knowledge can inform interventions and therapeutic approaches aimed at addressing self-criticism and improving sexual well-being in individuals with a history of childhood maltreatment.<p /> <p>Language: en</p>",
language="en",
issn="0145-2134",
doi="10.1016/j.chiabu.2024.106663",
url="http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.chiabu.2024.106663"
}