THE MEDIATING ROLE OF BODY UNEASINESS IN THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN EARLY TRAUMATIC EXPERIENCES AND HYPERSEXUAL BEHAVIOR IN MEN WITH ERECTILE DYSFUNCTION

Hypersexuality is characterized by a persistent lack of control of intense and repetitive sexual urges or impulses, which causes distress or impairment in one or more important areas of functioning. This study aims to investigate the interaction of early traumatic experiences, body uneasiness and general psychopathology with respect to erectile dysfunction (ED) and hypersexual behaviors.

The study is cross-sectional and observational. Data were collected from 321 participants. The clinical sample (n = 118) was composed of male patients with a primary complaint of ED and an indication for referral to psychiatry services by the Andrology Unit, while the control sample (n = 203) was recruited from the general population through an online survey. Clinical classification was assessed with the Structured Interview on Erectile Dysfunction (SIEDY). All participants were administered the following questionnaires: Brief Symptom Inventory (BSI), Childhood Trauma Questionnaire–Short Form (CTQ-SF), Hypersexual Behavior Inventory (HBI), Body Uneasiness Test–A (BUT-A), and 5-item International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF-5). Descriptive statistics were computed, and group differences were evaluated using the Mann–Whitney U test. Pearson’s correlation coefficients were calculated to assess the relationship between the variables within each group.

Significant differences were observed in HBI and BUT domains between HC and ED groups. In particular, the ED group reported a higher likelihood to report difficulties in controlling sexual behaviors. Additionally, correlations between HBI dimensions (coping, control, and consequences) and BUT variables were significant, indicating that early traumatic experiences predict hypersexual behaviors and ED through the mediating effect of body uneasiness and psychopathology. Specifically, body uneasiness mediates the correlation between early traumatic experiences and hypersexuality.

The present study highlights the complex interplay among early traumatic experiences, body image concerns and sexual functioning, showing that body uneasiness plays a mediating role in the indirect effect of childhood trauma on hypersexuality. Interventions aiming to improve coping strategies and perceived control might be beneficial in patients reporting difficulties within wider ED management.

The authors declare no conflicts of interest in relation to this work.