Childhood Traumatic Experiences and Receptive Anal Intercourse Among Women

Citation

Scheidell, Joy D.; Dyer, Typhanye P.; Severe, MacRegga; Tembunde, Yazmeen E.; Young, Kailyn E.; & Khan, Maria R. (2020). Childhood Traumatic Experiences and Receptive Anal Intercourse Among Women. Perspectives on Sexual and Reproductive Health. , PMCID: PMC8034482

Abstract

CONTEXT Receptive anal intercourse (RAI), which has become increasingly common among U.S. heterosexual women, is associated with STDs, including HIV, when it is unprotected and coercive. Childhood traumatic experiences may increase sexual risk behavior, but the relationship between childhood trauma and RAI among women has not been examined. METHODS Data from 4,876 female participants in Waves 1 (1994–1995), 3 (2001–2002) and 4 (2007–2008) of the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent to Adult Health were used to examine associations between nine self-reported childhood traumas (neglect; emotional, physical and sexual abuse; parental binge drinking and incarceration; and witnessing, being threatened with and experiencing violence) and RAI during adulthood using modified Poisson regression analysis. Whether depression, low self-esteem, drug use, relationship characteristics or sex trade involvement mediated the relationship between trauma and RAI was also explored. RESULTS Forty percent of the sample reported having engaged in receptive anal intercourse. After adjustment for sociodemographic characteristics, eight of the nine childhood traumas were associated with increased risk of RAI (adjusted prevalence ratios, 1.2–1.5); the strongest association was with experience of violence. Each unit increase in the number of traumas yielded a 16% increase in RAI prevalence. In mediation analyses, only drug use and relationship factors slightly attenuated the association between childhood trauma and RAI (1.2 for each). CONCLUSIONS Women with a history of childhood trauma may be at increased risk of engaging in RAI, highlighting the importance of screening and trauma-informed education in sexual health settings. Pathways linking childhood trauma and RAI among women are complex and warrant further research.

URL

https://doi.org/10.1363/psrh.12129

Keyword(s)

childhood

Reference Type

Journal Article

Journal Title

Perspectives on Sexual and Reproductive Health

Author(s)

Scheidell, Joy D.
Dyer, Typhanye P.
Severe, MacRegga
Tembunde, Yazmeen E.
Young, Kailyn E.
Khan, Maria R.

Year Published

2020

ISSN/ISBN

1538-6341

DOI

10.1363/psrh.12129

PMCID

PMC8034482

Reference ID

6100