The Effects of Childhood Trauma on Sexual Development

Dear Colleagues,

This Special Issue of Behavioral Sciences features a collection of articles that examine the long-term effects of childhood trauma on adult sexual development. As existing research shows that childhood trauma—whether sexual, violent, or psychological—can significantly alter sexual developmental trajectories (Turner et al., 2019; Kilimnik & Meston, 2016), the articles in this edition will enhance our understanding of how early trauma intersects with sexual development, particularly by investigating the connection between developmental trauma and subsequent sexual functioning. The research in this Special Issue will also explore how trauma is influenced by the specific type, the developmental stage, and the characteristics of the survivor, including factors such as gender identity and sexual orientation (Abrams et al., 2021; Maniglio, 2011).

Current findings indicate that trauma responses vary significantly based on demographic factors (Abrams et al., 2019; Pedneault et al., 2020), with evidence suggesting gender-specific patterns in both psychological and sexual outcomes following early trauma (Dawson et al., 2016; Joyal & Carpentier, 2017). Given these findings, this Special Issue underscores the complex and highly variable nature of sexual development after childhood trauma, demonstrating the need for nuanced approaches to understanding sexual healing and resilience (Levenson & Grady, 2016). The studies included will contribute to a deeper understanding of the interplay between early trauma and adult sexual functioning across diverse populations. 

References

Abrams, M., Chronos, A., & Milisavljevic Grdinic, M. (2021). Childhood abuse and sadomasochism: New insights. Sexologies. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.sexol.2021.10.004

Abrams, M., Milisavljevic, M., & Šoškić, A. (2019). Childhood abuse: Differential gender effects on mental health and sexuality. Sexologies, 28, e89–e96. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.sexol.2019.07.001

Dawson, S. J., Bannerman, B. A., & Lalumière, M. L. (2016). Paraphilic interests: An examination of sex differences in a nonclinical sample. Sexual Abuse, 28(1), 20–45. https://doi.org/10.1177/1079063214535819

Joyal, C. C., & Carpentier, J. (2017). The prevalence of paraphilic interests and behaviors in the general population: A provincial survey. The Journal of Sex Research, 54(2), 161–171. https://doi.org/10.1080/00224499.2016.1139034

Kilimnik, C. D., & Meston, C. M. (2016). Role of early sexual trauma in women’s sexual health: A comprehensive review and empirical assessment. The Journal of Sexual Medicine, 13(4), 583–594. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jsxm.2016.01.020

Levenson, J. S., & Grady, M. D. (2016). The influence of childhood trauma on sexual violence and psychopathology among sexual offenders. Trauma, Violence, & Abuse, 17(4), 379–389. https://doi.org/10.1177/1524838015584360

Maniglio, R. (2011). The role of child sexual abuse in the etiology of sexual deviance: A meta-analysis. Child Abuse & Neglect, 35(7), 533–541. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chiabu.2011.03.003

Pedneault, C. I., Hébert, M., & Tourigny, M. (2020). Childhood sexual abuse, sexual coercion, and sexual fantasies: A path analysis study among men and women. Child Abuse & Neglect, 103, 104437. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chiabu.2020.104437

Turner, D., Scarlatescu, B., & Allen, B. (2019). The impact of childhood trauma on sexual functioning in adulthood: A systematic review. Journal of Trauma & Dissociation, 20(4), 441–460. https://doi.org/10.1080/15299732.2019.1586719.

Dr. Mike Abrams
Dr. Kira Abrams
Guest Editors

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• childhood trauma
• adverse childhood experiences (ACEs)
• sexual development
• adult sexuality
• sexual dysfunction
• trauma and sexual behavior
• attachment and intimacy
• post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
• dissociation and sexuality
• hypersexuality and hyposexuality
• psychosexual development