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P015. Childhood Adversities and Intimate Partner Violence: Is sexual assertiveness the missing shield?
Thu, September 4, 6:45 to 8:00pm, Other Venues, Poster VenueAbstract
Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) are traumatic events, including physical, emotional, and sexual abuse, neglect, and family dysfunction, that can significantly impact brain development, the immune system, and emotion regulation (Felitti et al., 1998; Hughes et al., 2017). These early adversities increase the risk of mental health issues and engagement in risky behaviours during adulthood. Research has established a strong link between childhood adversity and vulnerability to intimate partner violence (IPV). Sexual assertiveness, the ability to negotiate and set boundaries in intimate relationships, has been proposed as a potential protective factor against IPV (Vizcarra & Rojas, 2021). However, limited studies have explored its role in women with a history of childhood adversity. This study examined the relationship between ACEs and the likelihood of experiencing IPV, considering the mediating role of sexual assertiveness. A sample of 308 women aged 18–30 years, predominantly Spanish, completed the Adverse Childhood Experiences Questionnaire (ACE-Q), the Sexual Assertiveness Scale (SAS), and the Woman Abuse Screening Tool (WAST). Findings confirmed that a higher number of ACEs significantly increased the probability of experiencing IPV, with childhood sexual abuse having the strongest impact. When sexual assertiveness was included in regression models, the relationship between ACEs and IPV slightly weakened, suggesting a protective effect. However, even women with high levels of sexual assertiveness remained vulnerable to IPV. These results highlight the importance of promoting sexual assertiveness as part of early intervention strategies. Educational and therapeutic programmes should be developed to empower women with a history of childhood trauma, particularly sexual abuse, to enhance their decision-making abilities in intimate relationships and reduce their risk of IPV.