Sexual Health and Dissociative Experiences among Abused Women

Sutherland, Melissa A.; Fantasia, Heidi Collins; Adkison, Lesley

doi:10.3109/01612840.2013.836727

Cited by 11 publications

(9 citation statements)

References 45 publications

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“…In this case, although the woman did not initially report any history of past or current abuse, the CNM recognized from the woman's history and normal gynecologic examination (with the notable exception of scant yeast) that there could be a more deep‐rooted cause to her dyspareunia symptoms. Many of the red flags for a history of sexual abuse that have been identified in the case, such as excessive hygiene, general sense of shame, and dissociation during intercourse, are supported in the literature . Specifically, the constant sensation of feeling dirty is a theme validated by survivors .…”

Section: Implications For Practicementioning

confidence: 92%

“…Specifically, the constant sensation of feeling dirty is a theme validated by survivors . Also, the dissociative state that J.C. reported when she described that she “drifts off to somewhere else” during intercourse has been validated by survivors in the literature, not only during intimacy, but at various points throughout their day‐to‐day activities …”

Section: Implications For Practicementioning

confidence: 96%

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Dyspareunia in a Survivor of Childhood Sexual Abuse

LoGiudice¹

2017

J Midwife Womens Health

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Dyspareunia is a frequent chief concern encountered by midwives and other women's health care providers. There are many possible etiologies for dyspareunia, including a history of childhood sexual abuse, and approaching assessment in a holistic manner is necessary to identify the etiology. This case report presents evidence on the importance of screening a woman who presents with dyspareunia in a therapeutic manner to facilitate disclosure of sexual abuse. Best practices for screening for sexual violence, along with recommendations for providing gynecologic care to survivors, are offered. By understanding the long-term sequelae of sexual abuse and through screening all women, midwives and other women's health care providers can facilitate healing and treatment for survivors.

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Section: Implications For Practicementioning

confidence: 92%

Section: Implications For Practicementioning

confidence: 96%

Dyspareunia in a Survivor of Childhood Sexual Abuse

LoGiudice¹

2017

J Midwife Womens Health

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“…The majority of studies focus on children's exposure to familial DV as a causal factor in dissociation. There are articles discussing dissociation as a predictor of revictimization (e.g., Iverson et al, 2013; Noll, Horowitz, Bonanno, Trickett, & Putnam, 2003), reports of elevated dissociation among abused women (e.g., Marchiori, Rossi, & Colombo, 2004; Stein, 2012), as well as articles demonstrating dissociation as a risk factor for sexually transmitted infections among women with CM and IPV histories (e.g., Sutherland, 2011; Sutherland, Fantasia, & Adkison, 2014). …”

mentioning

confidence: 99%

Childhood maltreatment and intimate partner violence in dissociative disorder patients

Webermann

Brand

Chasson

2014

European Journal of Psychotraumatology

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BackgroundChildhood maltreatment (CM) is a risk factor for subsequent intimate partner violence (IPV) in adulthood, with high rates of retrospectively reported CM among IPV victims and perpetrators. A theorized mechanism of the link between CM and IPV is dissociation. Dissociation may allow perpetrators of violence to remain emotionally distant from their behavior and minimize empathy toward those they victimize, enabling them to commit acts of violence similar to their own experiences. Indeed, elevated rates of dissociation and dissociative disorders (DD) have been found among IPV survivors and perpetrators. In addition, in pilot studies, DD clinicians have reported high levels of violent behavior among DD patients.ObjectiveThe present study investigates IPV among DD patients with Dissociative Identity Disorder and Dissociative Disorder Not Otherwise Specified, a group with CM rates of 80–95% and severe dissociative symptoms.MethodsDD clinicians reported on rates of CM and IPV among 275 DD patients in outpatient treatment. DD patients also completed a self-report measure of dissociation. Analyses assessed the associations between CM typologies and IPV, as well as trait dissociation and IPV.ResultsPhysical and emotional child abuse were associated with physical IPV, and childhood witnessing of domestic violence (DV) and childhood neglect were associated with emotional IPV.ConclusionsThe present study is the first to provide empirical support for a possible CM to adult IPV developmental trajectory among DD patients. Future research is needed to better understand the link between CM and IPV among those with trauma and DD.

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“…The learning model of sexual problems (Barlow, 1986; Becker et al, 1986) suggests that through experiencing SV, women are conditioned to respond to assault-related reminders, such as sexual stimuli or contact, with negative emotions such as fear, shame, or guilt. Sexual activity or viewing sexual stimuli (e.g., films), for example, can elicit negative emotions to the extent that sexual cues are reminders of SV experiences (Sutherland, Fantasia, & Adkinson, 2014). A rich body of literature has documented the deleterious effects of negative emotionality and distraction from sexual cues on sexual arousal responding (Kuffel & Heiman, 2006; Nelson & Purdon, 2011; Rellini et al, 2012; Silverstein, Brown, Roth, & Britton, 2011).…”

Section: Currently Most Upsetting Traumatic Event (C-mute): Sexual Vsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Sexual vs. Nonsexual Currently Most Upsetting Trauma: A Fresh Look at Attenuation of Sexual Response, Alcohol Intoxication, and Post-Traumatic Stress

Bird

Seehuus

Heiman

et al. 2017

The Journal of Sex Research

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This study examined the dependence of sexual response (vaginal pulse amplitude [VPA] and subjective sexual arousal) on alcohol intoxication (.10% breath alcohol concentration [BrAC] versus no alcohol) and the nature of a woman's currently most upsetting traumatic event (C-MUTE), whether it was sexual (e.g., rape) or nonsexual (e.g., combat). Self-reported sexual outcomes were also compared by C-MUTE type. A total of 117 women completed background measures and either drank alcoholic or nonalcoholic beverages. They were shown erotic films and their VPA was assessed. A two (sexual versus nonsexual C-MUTE) by two (.10% BrAC versus no alcohol) analysis of variance (ANOVA) showed that, controlling for post-traumatic stress (PTS) symptoms, women with a sexual C-MUTE showed lower percent VPA change than women with a nonsexual C-MUTE. No significant effects were found for subjective sexual arousal. A multivariate analysis of variance (MANOVA) showed that women with a sexual C-MUTE reported more frequent anxiety and inhibition during partnered sex and more frequent lack of vaginal lubrication versus women with a nonsexual C-MUTE. There was no significant interaction between C-MUTE and alcohol intoxication. Whether a woman is currently upset by past sexual victimization may influence current sexual difficulties. Attenuated VPA may be attributable to the sexual nature of a C-MUTE as opposed to general trauma exposure.

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Sexual Health and Dissociative Experiences among Abused Women

Cited by 11 publications

References 45 publications

Dyspareunia in a Survivor of Childhood Sexual Abuse

Dyspareunia in a Survivor of Childhood Sexual Abuse

Childhood maltreatment and intimate partner violence in dissociative disorder patients

Sexual vs. Nonsexual Currently Most Upsetting Trauma: A Fresh Look at Attenuation of Sexual Response, Alcohol Intoxication, and Post-Traumatic Stress

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