A pilot study of the relationship between childhood sexual abuse and compulsive sexual behaviors in adults

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Abstract
An investigation of the relationship between childhood sexual abuse and adult compulsive sexual behaviors was conducted among attendees of Sex and Love Addicts Anonymous meetings. Forty-five participants voluntarily completed a questionnaire involving demographics, sexual behaviors, and childhood sexual abuse. Women reported higher levels and greater severity of childhood sexual abuse. Men scored higher on the severity of sexual addiction scale. A tentative relationship between severity of childhood sexual abuse (measured by the frequency and severity of abusive behaviors suffered) and the severity of sexual addiction was observed. Wide variability in the prevalence estimates of childhood sexual abuse using different instruments highlights the need for agreement on the definition of childhood sexual abuse. This would help clarify the relationship between childhood sexual abuse and compulsive sexual behaviors.