Effects of Early Abuse on Adult Intimate Relationships

Not Applicable

Completed

• Conditions: Hypoactive Sexual Desire Disorder; Major Depressive Disorder; Female Orgasmic Disorder; Post-traumatic Stress Disorder; Female Sexual Arousal Disorder
• Interventions: Behavioral: Expressive writing

• Registration Number: NCT01803802
• Lead Sponsor: University of Texas at Austin

Brief Summary

This study is designed to help us better understand the factors that affect the sexual lives of women who have been sexually mistreated during childhood. With this study we hope to learn about factors that may be promising targets for future treatments of sexual problems related to past sexual experiences. The investigators hypothesize that women who have experienced early sexual abuse are more likely to have sexual problems in adulthood than women who were not abuse in childhood.

Detailed Description

Not available

Study Timeline

• Study Start: 2005-04
• Primary Completion: 2011-08
• Study First Submitted: 2013-02-25
• Study First Submitted QC: 2013-02-28
• Study First Posted: 2013-03-04
• Study Completion: 2014-08
• Status Verified: 2014-12
• Last Update Submitted: 2014-12-01
• Last Update Posted: 2014-12-02

Recruitment & Eligibility

• Status: COMPLETED
• Sex: Female
• Target Recruitment: 148

Inclusion Criteria

• at least one involuntary sexual experience, defined as "unwanted oral, anal, or vaginal intercourse, penetration of the vagina or anus using objects or digits, or genital touching or fondling," before age 16 and no less than 2 years prior to enrollment.
• currently sexually active or cohabiting in a potentially sexual relationship.
• current sexual dysfunction, distress, or low sexual satisfaction

Exclusion Criteria

• traumatic event in the previous three months
• sexual abuse in the past two years
• diagnosis of a psychotic disorder in the previous six months
• significant suicidal or homicidal intent
• currently receiving psychotherapy for sexual or abuse-related concerns
• use of illicit drugs
• in a currently abusive relationship

Study & Design

• Study Type: INTERVENTIONAL
• Study Design: SINGLE_GROUP

Arm && Interventions

Group	Intervention	Description
Sexual schema writing	Expressive writing	Expressive writing prompts oriented towards beliefs about sexuality
Time management	Expressive writing	Writing prompts oriented towards objective recounting of previous day
Trauma writing	Expressive writing	Expressive writing prompts oriented towards processing traumatic experiences

Primary Outcome Measures

Name	Time	Method
Sexual Dysfunction Interview	6 months	Clinical classification of Female Sexual Dysfunctions including Hypoactive Sexual Desire Disorder, Female Sexual Arousal Disorder, and/or Female Orgasm Disorder

Secondary Outcome Measures

Name	Time	Method
Depression	6 months	As measured by clinical interview and validated questionnaires
Post-Traumatic Stress	6 months	As measured by clinical interview and validated questionnaires

Trial Locations

Locations (1)

University of Texas at Austin; 🇺🇸 Austin, Texas, United States