Advertisement

Child sex abuse linked to adult problems

BRISBANE, Australia, Oct. 11 (UPI) -- A University of Queensland study in Australia has found a link between childhood sexual abuse and symptoms of sexual dysfunction in adults.

Researchers found the rate of sexual dysfunction for men who had experienced childhood sexual abuse was double that of those who had not experienced abuse.

Advertisement

For women, similar differences were apparent, with women who had experienced penetrative abuse substantially more likely to report three or more symptoms of sexual dysfunction.

The study's lead author, Professor Jake Najman of the university's School of Population Health, said the research suggests that for males, non-penetrative childhood sexual abuse experiences do not lead of higher rates of sexual dysfunction.

"However, males who have experienced some forms of childhood sexual abuse are more likely to report that they have symptoms of sexual dysfunction in later life," he said. "Females reporting both non-penetrative and penetrative sexual abuse experiences are substantially more likely to report many symptoms of sexual dysfunction."

The study suggests childhood sexual abuse was common in Australia. More than one-third of women and one-sixth of men reported a history of childhood sexual abuse.

The study appears in the international journal Archives of Sex Research.

Advertisement

\

Latest Headlines