The relationship between compulsive sexual behaviors and childhood sexual abuse: Focusing on the role of self-compassion and selfobjectification.

Background: In previous studies, the association between Compulsive Sexual Behavior Disorder (CSBD) and childhood sexual abuse (CSA) has been discussed (Slavin et al., 2020). However, the mechanism that CSA leads to CSBD has not been clarified in detail. Some studies have described that CSA related to self-objectification (e.g., Talmon & Ginzburg, 2016). Furthermore, it has been suggested that self-objectification increases sexual risk behaviors (e.g., Ingram et al., 2023). In short, self-objectification may mediate the association between CSBD and CSA. This study aimed to examine a model of the effects of CSA, self-objectification, and self-compassion on CSBD. Methods: 935 participants via online were included in the analysis (Korean: n = 329, Japan: n = 377, the UK: n = 229). The scales were the CSBD-19, Self-Compassion scale, Childhood Trauma Questionnaire, and Objectified Body Consciousness scale. Results: Moderated mediation model indicated that the mediation effect of self-objectification measured by body surveillance, and moderation effect of self-compassion were not significant. Additional exploratory analyzes showed that body shame significantly mediated between CSA and CSBD in three countries, and self-compassion mediated in only the UK and Korea. Conclusion: The result indicates that individuals with CSA experiences may develop CSBD through Body shame in three countries. Therefore, it is necessary to focus on body shame when reducing the risk of CSBD. Self-compassion intervention may be applicable to support CSBD with CSA in the UK and Korea. However, in Japan, it was shown that it is necessary to further examine the function of self-compassion. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]