A study on the relationship between child abuse and neglect and sexual addiction in a predominantly female population seeking partners for sex

There is evidence that compulsive sexual behavior (CSB) is linked with childhood trauma in women and men. This study has investigated the relationships between childhood abuse and neglect and compulsive sexual behavior in a mostly female sample who use dating applications for sex. Participants were 200 adults (164 women and 36 men) mean age 26.88 years (SD = 6.45) range 19–58, 74% were single, 19.5% married, 6.5% divorced or separated. Questionnaires were administered by Google forms and included a demographic questionnaire, the Sexual Addiction Screening Test (SAST) and the Childhood Trauma Questionnaire (CTQ). There were positive associations between childhood sexual abuse (CSA), physical and mental abuse and physical neglect, (but not emotional neglect) and CSB. Multiple regression analysis revealed that ratings of child abuse (all apart from emotional neglect) have explained 57% of the variance of sexual addiction scores. This study shows that CSA, mental and physical abuse and physical neglect have been related to CSB. These findings may have clinical implications for understanding and treatment of CSB.