The Complex Interplay between BDSM and Childhood Sexual Abuse: A Form of Repetition and Dissociation or a Path Toward Processing and Healing?

In this theoretical paper the authors explore the connections between BDSM (i.e., practices involving bondage, discipline, dominance, submission, sadism, masochism) and CSA (childhood sexual abuse) in order to investigate the potential unconscious mechanisms at play and the therapeutic functions of BDSM practices among CSA victims. Drawing on the embodiment framework, the authors address how BDSM may serve as a form of unconscious repetition of traumatic experiences for certain CSA victims, with the aim of processing trauma and healing. A review of the empirical evidence regarding the links between BDSM and CSA trauma, along with the potential of BDSM to trigger trauma and elicit dissociation, guilt, or shame, is conducted. Finally, BDSM practices are reviewed through the concept of trauma-play, which involves deliberate rescripting. In short, the complex relationship between BDSM and CSA is highlighted, as well as its implications for understanding and potentially addressing trauma experiences in therapy.

Exploring Variations in Individuals' Relationships to Sexual Fantasies: A Latent Class Analysis.

Sexual fantasies represent a vast and highly personal dimension of human sexuality that remains understudied empirically. This article used a person-oriented approach to examine the reactions of arousal and discomfort that individuals experienced in response to four proposed fantasy scenarios depicting themes of romance, power dynamics (i.e., submission and domination), pain (i.e., sadism and masochism), and sexual violence. Using an online sample of 566 adult participants (250 men and 291 women) from the general population of Canada and the U.S., four classes were identified based on reactions of arousal and discomfort toward the proposed scenarios: Indifferent (relatively low arousal and discomfort to all scenarios, 37%), Romantic (high arousal solely for the romance scenario, high discomfort toward other scenarios, 22%), Enthusiastic (high arousal and low discomfort in response to all scenarios, 26%), and Dissonant (relatively high arousal and discomfort toward all scenarios, 15%). These classes were then compared to examine differences in terms of the following psychosexual characteristics: gender, experiences of childhood sexual abuse, sexual compulsion, and romantic attachment. Findings illustrated distinct patterns of reactions toward fantasies and confirmed the presence of links between reactions toward sexual fantasies, psychosexual characteristics, and traumatic life experiences. This suggests that the relationship between individuals and their sexual fantasies may be indicative of their overall relationship with sexuality.

Sexual self-concept among men and women child sexual abuse survivors: Emergence of differentiated profiles.

BACKGROUND: Child sexual abuse (CSA) can impact survivor's sexuality, notably regarding sexual self-concept, a key component of sexual well-being. Yet, sexual self-concept has been understudied among CSA survivors and gender differences have been sparsely investigated. OBJECTIVE: The current study aimed to identify CSA survivors' distinct profiles according to their sexual self-concept, and compare these profiles based on factors such as CSA characteristics, gender, current age, sexual functioning and adult sexual assault (ASA). PARTICIPANTS AND SETTING: A total of 176 CSA survivors (60 % women, 40 % men), recruited through community organizations for CSA victims and social media publications, completed an online survey. METHODS: Hierarchical cluster analysis was performed using the Sexuality Scale (Snell & Papini, 1989). Chi-square and ANOVA tests were used to compare the groups on external variables. RESULTS: Cluster analysis revealed the best overall fit for a three-group model. The Confident and non-preoccupied profile (48 %) is characterized by a moderate score on sexual esteem and the lowest scores of sexual preoccupation and depression. The Demeaning and depressive (37 %) profile is characterized by the lowest scores on sexual esteem and the highest scores on sexual depression. The Hyperconfident and preoccupied profile (15 %) shows the highest scores on sexual esteem and sexual preoccupation. CONCLUSION: Sexual self-concept is an important component of sexuality that needs to be addressed by practitioners working with CSA survivors. Given heterogeneity and gender differences among survivors, identification of profiles is relevant for adapting interventions and clinical care.