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Title: The relationship between traumatic interpersonal experiences, personality and sexual dysfunctions
Abstract:
Aim: This study tested a theoretical model that combines findings from three lines of empirical work: analyses of the relationship between traumatic experiences and sexual functioning, analyses of the relationship between adult attachment style and sexual functioning, and analyses linking the level of personality organization to sexual functioning. To the best of the author’s knowledge, this is the first published study to examine the mediating role of attachment style and the level of personality organization in the relationship between trauma and sexual functioning. Method: The study was conducted on a sample of 592 women and 128 men. To measure sexual functioning, the following were used: Arizona Sexual Experiences Scale (ASEX); Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI); International Index of Male Sexual Function (IIEF); Premature Ejaculation Diagnostic Tool (PEDT); Sexual Externalization Questionnaire (SEQ); Sexual Quality of Life Questionnaire (SQoL). The Inventory of Personality Organization (IPO) was used to measure the level of personality organization, while the Experiences in Close Relationships - Relationship Structures questionnaire (ECR-RS) was used to measure attachment style, and the Trauma Antecedents Questionnaire (TAQ) was used to assess traumatic interpersonal experiences. Results: Traumatic experiences at different developmental peri ; ods were shown to correlate with poorer sexual functioning, although the results were inconclusive, especially in women. In males, the experience of neglect was significant for sexual dysfunctions categorized as internalizing and in females as externalizing, similarly to sexual and physical violence. Emotional abuse experienced by men was co-occurring with externalizing in sex, and by women with poorer overall sexual functioning and lack of satisfaction in sex. A surprising positive effect on sexual functioning was found for separation experiences in men co-occurring with stronger desire. On the other hand, watching violence by women was associated with lack of pain during sexual intercourse and better overall sexual functioning. In the studied group, attachment deactivation strategies were more strongly associated with sexual dysfunctions than avoidance, while attachment hyperactivation was associated with lesser overall and sexual satisfaction. Aggression intensity was the strongest predictor of sexual externalization in women, but immature defense mechanisms were also significant and further promoted feelings of stronger desire in both women and men. In women, greater personality diffusion favored externalizing in sex and was associated with generally poorer sexual functioning, especially in experiencing orgasm. In men, more frequent externalizing ; in sexual behaviors was accompanied by greater personality diffusion. Increased competitiveness promoted overall better sexual functioning in both men and women, although it also increased the tendency for premature ejaculation in men. Both the attachment style and the level of personality organization mediated the effects of traumatic experiences on sexual functioning. In women, but not in men, attachment style mediated the relationship between traumatic experiences and externalizing sexual relationships. The strongest relationship occurred between cumulative potentially traumatic events over a lifetime and externalizing in the sexual domain, which was mediated by deeper personality pathology and a hyperactivating attachment strategy. Conclusions: The results support the hypothesis that attachment style and the level of personality organization play a mediating role in explaining the relationship between trauma and sexual functioning. Factors related to aggression expression, competitiveness, and guilt were found to be important for sexual functioning. In case of the treatment of sexual externalization problems a thorough screening for disorders in the area of personality functioning would be particularly appropriate. On the other hand, when sexual dysfunctions are reported, the intervention may be directed more towards the attachment style.
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Rada Dyscypliny Nauki o zdrowiu
Promoter:
Furgał, Mariusz ; Műldner-Nieckowski, Łukasz
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Last modified:
Aug 8, 2024
In our library since:
Feb 6, 2024
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6
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All available object's versions:
http://dl.cm-uj.krakow.pl:8080/publication/5035
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| Edition name | Date |
|---|---|
| ZB-136916 | Aug 8, 2024 |
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