Development of hypersexuality in sexual abuse victims

Abstract

Background: A link was found between antecedents of sexual abuse and the development of hypersexuality - defined as any compulsive sexual behavior, recurrent and intense sexual fantasies, or sexual urges, that interfere with normal living and causes severe stress on the individual. Aim: This narrative review focus on gathering and clarifying the main conclusions about the relationship of being a victim of sexual abuse and the later development of sex addiction. Methods: To establish the relationship between hypersexuality and sexual abuse, the main source of information was the database PubMed with no major restrictions since the existing literature about the topic is scarce. It was decided to use all age ranges and figure out the sexual abuse significances in the psychiatric area, which explains why most articles picture the effects of sexual abuse in children. Outcomes: Relationship of being a victim of sexual abuse (child, adult and elderly) and the later development of hypersexuality, and possible theories explaining the development of hypersexuality. Results: Most studies supported a positive relationship between child sexual abuse and compulsive sexual behavior and that this association is also consistent with development of risky sexual behavior in many different populations. This relationship was also positive for sexual abuse suffered during adult life and lifetime abuse. No relationship was found for sexual abuse perpetrated in the elderly. Clinical Implications: Hypersexuality has proven to be a great source of distress for people who suffer from it so it should be taken seriously by medical professionals and therapists, and the creation of clear definition, criteria for diagnose and possible etiologies (such as antecedents of sexual abuse) would provide a way for more people who suffer from this disorder to come forward and seek help. Strengths and Limitations: The lack of information and clear definition of hypersexuality are both strengths and limitations: a strength because this narrative review can create awareness to this subject, but also a limitation considering the studies available are scarce and most of them are not as recent as one would like. Conclusion: Hypersexuality is a relevant consequence of sexual abuse, when perpetrated in children, adults, or throughout the whole life and there are several theories than might explain the development of hypersexuality, related to sexual abuse or not.