Sexual trauma and compulsive sexual behavior in young men and women: A network analysis involving two samples

Sexual trauma is associated with multiple negative health and social conditions, including compulsive sexual behavior. The present study examined network structures involving sexual trauma history, psychological distress (defined as depression and/or anxiety symptoms), substance use, transactional sex, and compulsive sexual behavior. Prior network analysis work in this area is limited.

We drew upon two samples of young adults (Sample 1: n = 1,884, 69.3% women; Sample 2: n = 2,337, 69.7% women) recruited from universities in the United States in 2020-2022.

Findings support relationships between sexual trauma and compulsive sexual behavior. Relationships between elements of compulsive sexual behavior, timing of trauma, psychological distress, substance use, engagement in transactional sex, and gender differences were identified. Significant edge strength differences between men and women were observed; distress was a more central node for men, trauma was a more central node for women (Sample 1). When examining elements of CSB, significant gender differences in edge strength were also observed (e.g. connections between dissatisfaction and relapse for men, dissatisfaction and negative consequences for women).

Specific aspects of CSB closely related to sexual trauma history (e.g., dissatisfaction) and co-occurring psychopathology or clinical concerns (e.g., depression, anxiety, substance use, and engagement in transactional sex) and warrant further attention and study.