Predicting Female Sexual Dysfunction based on the History of Child Abuse and Sexual Shame of Women in Iran

Background aim: Sexual dysfunction can cause many injuries and problems for people and adversely affect their marital relationships. Addressing women’s sexual issues is very important in light of sociocultural issues. To this end, this study aimed to predict female sexual dysfunction based on a history of child abuse (sexual, physical, and emotional) and sexual shame.Methods: This predictive correlational study was conducted on 402 women who were selected by voluntary sampling in Ahvaz, Iran in 2021. The data were collected using the Female Sexual Function Inventory (FSFI), NorVold Abuse Questionnaire (NorAQ) and Kyle Inventory of Sexual Shame (KISS). Based on the cut-off score of the FSFI, the women were divided into two groups with and without sexual dysfunction. Data analysis was performed using stepwise and discriminant analysis. Results: The data showed a significant difference between the women with and without sexual dysfunction in terms of child abuse (sexual, physical, and emotional) and sexual shame (P 0.001). Moreover, child abuse and sexual shame could, together and separately, discriminate the women with and without sexual dysfunction.Conclusion: Given the role of history of abuse and sexual shame in explaining women’s sexual dysfunction, preventive interventions need to be implemented for women to reduce sexual, physical, and emotional abuse. Besides, effective training for women can reduce sexual shame. Moreover, therapeutic interventions need to be conducted to reduce the previous effects of sexual abuse and sexual shame, which could consequently, reduce sexual dysfunction in women.