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Cited by 43Child Abuse and TraumaSexual Assault and Victimization StudiesAdolescent Sexual and Reproductive Health

Mediators of the Relation Between Childhood Sexual Abuse and Women’s Sexual Risk Behavior: A Comparison of Two Theoretical Frameworks

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Senn, Theresa E., Carey, Michael P., Coury-Doniger, Patricia·2012·Archives of Sexual Behavior
DOI 10.1007/s10508-011-9897-zPMC PMC3351532
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Abstract

Childhood sexual abuse (CSA) is associated with sexual risk behavior in adulthood, but little research has investigated processes that might mediate this relation. The purpose of this study was to investigate whether constructs suggested by the traumagenic dynamics (TD) model (a theory of the effects of CSA) or constructs suggested by the information-motivation-behavioral skills (IMB) model (a theory of the antecedents of sexual risk behavior) better mediated the relation between CSA and sexual risk behavior in adulthood. Participants were 481 women attending a sexually transmitted infection clinic (66% African American) who completed a computerized survey as well as behavioral simulations assessing condom application and sexual assertiveness skills. Forty-five percent of the sample met criteria for CSA and CSA was associated with sexual risk behavior in adulthood. In multiple mediator models, the TD constructs mediated the relation between CSA and the number of sexual partners whereas the IMB constructs mediated the relation between CSA and unprotected sex. In addition, the TD constructs better mediated the relation between CSA and the number of sexual partners; the TD and IMB constructs did not differ in their ability to mediate the relation between CSA and unprotected sex. Sexual risk reduction interventions for women who were sexually abused should target not only the constructs from health behavior models (e.g., motivation and skills to reduce sexual risk), but also constructs that are specific to sexual abuse (e.g., traumatic sexualization and guilt).

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  • Senn et al. (2012) found intrusive sexual thoughts, use of sexuality in relationships, and guilt associated with sex were more potent mediators in the relationship between CSA and risky sexual behaviors above and beyond information, motivation, and behaviors among 481 females being treated for sexually transmitted infections.

    “intrusive sexual thoughts, the use of sexuality in relationships, and guilt associated with sex were found to be more potent mediators in the relationship between CSA and risky sexual behaviors above and beyond information, motivation, and behaviors among 481 females being treated for sexually transmitted infections”

    From Child Sexual Abuse as a Unique Risk Factor for the Development of Psychopathology: The Compounded Convergence of Mechanisms (2021) · cites this paper as Senn et al. 2012

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Cited by

Sorted by citations

Authors
Senn, T. E., Carey, M. P., & Coury-Doniger, P.
Affiliations
  • Syracuse University (US)
  • Brown University (US)
  • University of Rochester Medicine (US)
Corresponding author
Senn, Theresa E.
ORCID
Venue
Archives of Sexual Behavior
Publisher
Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Published
2012-01-27
Volume
41
Issue
6
Pages
1363-1377
ISSN
  • 0004-0002 (ISSN-L)
  • 1573-2800
DOI
10.1007/s10508-011-9897-z
PMC
PMC3351532
OpenAlex
W2045570738
Cited by
43
References
6
Citations by year
2026: 1 · 2025: 2 · 2023: 5 · 2022: 3 · 2021: 2 · 2020: 5 · 2019: 2 · 2018: 3 · 2017: 6 · 2016: 2 · 2015: 6 · 2014: 6
FWCI
4.36
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Licence
www.springer.com/tdm (tdm)
Locations
  • Archives of Sexual Behavior (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
  • Europe PMC (PubMed Central) (acceptedVersion)
  • PubMed Central (acceptedVersion)
Funders
  • National Institutes of Health (5r21mh083502-02)
  • Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
  • National Institute of Mental Health (R21- MH083502)
Topics
  • Social Sciences › Psychology › Clinical Psychology › Child Abuse and Trauma
  • Social Sciences › Gender Studies › Sexual Assault and Victimization Studies
  • Health Sciences › Health Professions › General Health Professions › Adolescent Sexual and Reproductive Health
Keywords
child sexual abuse, sexual risk behavior, women, trauma, sexualization, guilt, condom use, sexual assertiveness, number of sexual partners, unprotected sex, sexually transmitted infections, information-motivation-behavioral skills model, mediation, sexual risk reduction interventions
MeSH terms
Adult, Child, Child Abuse, Sexual, Female, Humans, Models, Psychological, Risk-Taking, Sexual Behavior, Sexual Partners, Unsafe Sex, Adult Survivors of Child Abuse

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