The Role of Sexual Self-Schema and Psychological Distress in the Relationship between Sexual Victimization on Sexual Functioning and Satisfaction

Sexual assault can result in a number of negative psychological effects among survivors, recent studies have shown that sexual assault can contribute to women’s development of difficulties with aspects of sexual functioning, sexual satisfaction, and sexual self-schemas. Sexual dysfunctions are described in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5) as an individual’s inability to respond or experience sexual satisfaction. A national probability sample found that 43% of women experience sexual dysfunction. The goal of our study was to examine the relationship between sexual victimization severity and sexual functioning and satisfaction and its potential mediators. Specifically, we aimed to determine if sexual self-schema and psychological distress would mediate the relationship between sexual victimization severity and sexual functioning and satisfaction. In addition, we aimed to determine if sexual victimization severity will be positively associated with greater reported sexual dysfunction and sexual dissatisfaction. Participants were undergraduate women who reported a history of sexual victimization and volunteered to participate in exchange for extra credit in their participating psychology courses. Consenting participants completed measures online assessing exposure to sexual victimization, sexual functioning, sexual satisfaction, psychological distress and sexual self-schemas using the Sexual Experiences Survey, Sexual Self-Schema Scale, Female Sexual Functioning Index, and Sexual Satisfaction Scale-W. Data collection is ongoing. However, preliminary findings suggest a negative relationship between sexual victimization severity and sexual functioning and satisfaction and a negative relationship between psychological distress and sexual satisfaction. Findings have possible implications for determining indicators of sexual dysfunction by the severity of sexual victimization