The differential effects of child and adult sexual abuse on adult
sexual functioning were examined. The Golombok Rust Inventory of
Sexual Satisfaction (GRISS) and a sexual experiences questionnaire
were administered to 201 psychology students at the University of
South Florida, 175 of whom were retained in the study. GRISS variables
that were analyzed consisted of anorgasmia, sexual avoidance, sexual
dissatisfaction, sexual noncommunication, nonsensuality, and
vaginismus. Women who were sexually abused in adulthood were more
sexually dissatisfied and nonsensual than women who had no history of
sexual abuse. In addition, women who had a history of sexual abuse in
childhood or adulthood were less satisfied with the overall quality of
their most recent sexual relationship than non-abused women and had
higher numbers of unsafe sexual partners.