Sexual problems and post‐traumatic stress disorder following sexual trauma: A meta‐analytic review

O’Driscoll, Ciarán; Flanagan, Esther

doi:10.1111/papt.12077

Cited by 58 publications

(41 citation statements)

References 61 publications

Supporting

Mentioning

Contrasting

Unclassified

Order By: Relevance

“…It is possible that existing couples’ therapies used in SM/Vs (e.g., Conjoint Behavior Couples’ Therapy [Monson & Fredman, ]; Emotion Focused Therapy [Johnson & Greenberg, ]) could be augmented to explore and treat sexual issues, particularly since individual PTSD treatments do not improve sexual functioning (see review, O'Driscoll & Flanagan, ). Interventions that focus on processing the sexual trauma, helping the traumatized individual see themselves as a survivor rather than as a victim, enhancing the survivor's perception that sexual experiences are safe and consensual, and fostering the belief that the healing process is a joint effort between the survivor and their romantic partner may be particularly beneficial in addressing sexual trauma, relationship satisfaction, sexual dysfunction, and sexual dissatisfaction (McCarthy & Farr, ; Meston, Lorenz, & Stephenson, ; Nasim & Nadan, ).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Lower Sexual Satisfaction and Function Mediate the Association of Assault Military Sexual Trauma and Relationship Satisfaction in Partnered Female Service Members/Veterans

Blais

2019

Family Process

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Little is known about the association of military sexual trauma (MST) and relationship satisfaction among partnered female service members/veterans (SM/Vs). Extant civilian literature shows a strong association between sexual trauma and poorer relationship outcomes, and theory suggests that sexual function and satisfaction may mediate this association. Given that as many as 40% of female SM/Vs report MST and roughly half of female veterans are partnered and in their peak sexual years, it is critical to understand the association of MST, relationship satisfaction, sexual function, and sexual satisfaction in this population. Female SM/Vs (N = 817) completed a demographic inventory, selfreport measures of MST, relationship satisfaction, sexual function, and sexual satisfaction. One hundred fifty-one (18.48%) participants did not experience MST. Three hundred eighty-eight (47.49%) reported that they experienced harassment-only MST, and 278 (34.03%) reported assault MST. At the bivariate level, lower relationship satisfaction was associated with lower sexual function and satisfaction with large effect sizes. Assault MST was associated with lower relationship satisfaction and sexual function and satisfaction with small-to-medium effect sizes. No differences in relationship satisfaction, sexual satisfaction, and function between those with harassment-only and no MST were observed. Mediation analyses demonstrated that lower sexual function and satisfaction mediated the association of assault MST and relationship satisfaction. Couples' therapy offered to SM/Vs with MST should screen for type of MST, sexual function, and satisfaction. Addressing the sequelae of MST and increasing sexual function and satisfaction in these partnerships may be critical treatment targets.

show abstract

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Lower Sexual Satisfaction and Function Mediate the Association of Assault Military Sexual Trauma and Relationship Satisfaction in Partnered Female Service Members/Veterans

Blais

2019

Family Process

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…Researchers have consistently found that PTSD is often associated with sexual dysfunction, and this is particularly true for PTSD secondary to sexual trauma (Yehuda, Lehrner, & Rosenbaum, ). However, little research has focused specifically on the relationship between PTSD and difficulties with sexuality among female sexual trauma survivors (O'Driscoll & Flanagan, ).…”

Section: The Effects Of Sexual Traumamentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Despite strong support for trauma‐focused, evidence‐based treatments (EBTs), these treatments neither specifically nor intentionally address the various sexual concerns that may follow a sexual assault, such as changes to intimate relationships, sexual expression, and sexual self‐concept. A recent meta‐analysis of the few studies that examine their effectiveness found little evidence that treatment for PTSD had an effect on sexual problems among survivors of sexual assault (O'Driscoll & Flanagan, ). In addition to not receiving help for concerns related to sexuality, failing to address them directly in therapy may reinforce to the client that these topics are either unimportant or unsafe to discuss, even with her therapist.…”

Section: The Effects Of Sexual Traumamentioning

confidence: 99%

See 1 more Smart Citation

Sex‐Positive Assessment and Treatment Among Female Trauma Survivors

et al. 2017

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Sexuality and intimacy difficulties are often a part of the aftermath of sexual trauma. We argue that combining techniques from evidence‐based, trauma‐focused treatment with sex‐positive techniques used in sex therapy can best help survivors reduce trauma‐related symptoms and develop or regain comfort with their sexuality. In this article, we illustrate this approach by describing the case of a survivor of sexual assault, who completed 20 sessions of treatment that combined modules of trauma‐focused therapies, Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT), and Prolonged Exposure (PE) with sensate focus therapy, a technique often used in sex therapy. The outcome of this case suggests that clinicians who work with sexual trauma survivors may want to consider a sex‐positive approach to conceptualizing and planning the course of treatment, to achieve optimal results.

show abstract

“…SV history is associated with fear of sex (Van Berlo & Ensink, 2000) and elevated sexrelated distress (i.e., distress associated with sexuality or sexual activity) has been reported among women with histories of SV (Siegel et al, 1990;Stephenson, Hughan, & Meston, 2012;Ullman & Siegel, 1993). Such links between SV history with fear and with sex-related distress are likely due to the fact that sexual activity serves as a trigger or reminder of the traumatic event (O'Driscoll & Flanagan, 2016). Accordingly, sex-related distress worsens with assaults that included penetration (i.e., those that are more severe; Lemieux & Byers, 2008;Siegel et al, 1990) and may persist even when the sexual assault occurred one or more years ago (Siegel et al, 1990;Van Berlo & Ensink, 2000).…”

mentioning

confidence: 99%

Sexual Victimization and Sex-Related Drinking Motives: How Protective is Emotion Regulation?

Bird

Stappenbeck

Neilson

et al. 2018

The Journal of Sex Research

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

One in five college women experience sexual victimization (SV) and SV severity is associated with subsequent psychological distress including sex-related distress. SV severity may also be associated with drinking motives to cope with sex-related distress and to enhance sex (sex-related drinking motives; SRDM), particularly if individuals suffer from emotion regulation (ER) difficulties. College women (N = 151) completed a survey assessment of ER, SV history, childhood sexual abuse, and SRDM. Twelve regression models assessed six facets of ER as moderators between SV severity and SRDM. Among women with no or low levels of prior SV severity, women with greater access to ER strategies were less likely to endorse drinking to cope SRDM. At higher levels of SV severity, women at all levels of access to ER strategies were equally likely to endorse drinking to cope SRDM, suggesting that access to ER strategies did not mitigate motivations to drink to cope with sex-related distress for these women. Women with severe SV histories may benefit from interventions that build on existing ER strengths or address other factors. However, greater access to ER strategies may serve as a protective factor against SRDM when SV severity is low.

show abstract

Sexual problems and post‐traumatic stress disorder following sexual trauma: A meta‐analytic review

Cited by 58 publications

References 61 publications

Lower Sexual Satisfaction and Function Mediate the Association of Assault Military Sexual Trauma and Relationship Satisfaction in Partnered Female Service Members/Veterans

Lower Sexual Satisfaction and Function Mediate the Association of Assault Military Sexual Trauma and Relationship Satisfaction in Partnered Female Service Members/Veterans

Sex‐Positive Assessment and Treatment Among Female Trauma Survivors

Sexual Victimization and Sex-Related Drinking Motives: How Protective is Emotion Regulation?

Contact Info

Product

Resources

About