The relationship between childhood sexual/physical abuse and sexual dysfunction in patients
with social anxiety disorder
Sammanfattning
Background: Childhood traumatic events are known as developmental factors for various
psychiatric disorders. Objective: The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of childhood
sexual and physical abuse (CSA/CPA), and co-morbid depression on sexual functions in patients with
social anxiety disorder (SAD). Method: Data obtained from 113 SAD patients was analysed. Childhood
traumatic experiences were evaluated using the Childhood Trauma Questionnaire, and the Arizona
Sexual Experience Scale was used for the evaluation of the sexual functions. The data from
interviews performed with SCID-I were used for determination of Axis I diagnosis. The Beck Anxiety
Scale, Beck Depression Scale and Liebowitz Social Anxiety Scale were administered to each patient.
Results: History of childhood physical abuse (CPA) was present in 45.1% of the SAD patients, and
14.2% had a history of childhood sexual abuse (CSA). Depression co-diagnosis was present in 30.1%
of SAD patients and 36.3% had sexual dysfunction. History of CSA and depression co-diagnosis were
determined as two strong predictors in SAD patients (odds ratio (OR) for CSA, 7.83; 95% CI, 1.97-
31.11; p = 0.003 and OR for depression, 3.66; 95% CI, 1.47-9.13; p = 0.005).
Conclusions: CSA and depression should be considered and questioned as an important factor for
SAD patients who suffer from sexual dysfunction.