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Prevalence and Effects of Self-Reported Childhood Sexual Abuse Among Sadomasochistically Oriented Males and Females

NCJ Number
185700
Journal
Journal of Child Sexual Abuse Volume: 9 Issue: 1 Dated: 2000 Pages: 53-63
Author(s)
Niklas Nordling; N. Kenneth Sandnabba; Pekka Santtila
Date Published
2000
Length
11 pages
Annotation
This study explores the prevalence and consequences of self-reported childhood sexual abuse among sadomasochistically oriented males and females.
Abstract
The study group comprised 164 male and 22 female members of sadomasochistically oriented clubs. The individuals completed a questionnaire exploring psychological health, social adjustment, and sexual behavior. The prevalence of self-reported sexual abuse was higher among study participants compared to the general Finnish population norms. Participants who reported abuse were more likely to have attempted suicide, to have sought psychological support, and to have visited a physician because of physical injuries. Self-reported sexual abuse was also associated with poorer social adjustment and higher sexual neuroticism. Further, the higher the frequency of abuse, the poorer the body image of the abused male participants. Even though the majority of participants did not report childhood sexual abuse, it had adverse consequences and altered some aspects of the sexual behavior of abused individuals. Table, references