@article{ref1,
title=""Finding my worth as a sexual being": a qualitative gender analysis of sexual self-concept and coping in survivors of childhood sexual abuse",
journal="Archives of sexual behavior",
year="2023",
author="Guyon, Roxanne and Fernet, Mylene and Couture, Stéphanie and Tardif, Monique and Cousineau, Marie-Marthe and Godbout, Natacha",
volume="ePub",
number="ePub",
pages="ePub-ePub",
abstract="Childhood sexual abuse (CSA) is likely to have impacts on adult survivors' sexuality, particularly on their sexual self-concept. However, little is known about how survivors cope with CSA-related sexual impacts, including sexual self-concept impairments. Thus, this study aimed to examine the interplay between sexual self-concept and coping strategies in CSA survivors by (1) documenting the manifestations of their impaired sexual self-concepts; (2) identifying their strategies to cope with the sexual impacts of CSA; and (3) examining gender differences on sexual self-concept impairments and coping strategies. Content analysis was conducted on semi-structured interviews with 25 women and 26 men adult survivors of CSA recruited via social networks and victim support organizations. Analyses yielded three conceptual categories: (1) Developing an unconsolidated and unfavorable sexual self-concept following CSA; (2) Avoiding CSA-related sexual impacts and impaired sexual self-concept; (3) Approaching CSA-related sexual impacts with more authenticity. Men often managed their suffering and compensated for their impaired sexual self-concept by engaging in sexual dominance and over-investment, by accepting their sexual difficulties and relying on medication to overcome them. Women tended to restrict themselves and disconnect sexually to avoid suffering, complied with their partners' sexual demands out of a sense of duty, prioritized sexual intimacy over orgasm, and seek professional help. Interventions with survivors should promote the development of approach strategies to cope with sexual difficulties, including self-concept impairments, and foster sexual authenticity.<p /> <p>Language: en</p>",
language="en",
issn="0004-0002",
doi="10.1007/s10508-023-02693-5",
url="http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s10508-023-02693-5"
}