Abstract

This study examined whether being bullied by peers in childhood and adolescence was associated with sexual depression in adulthood, and whether this relationship was mediated by shame, social anxiety and body dissatisfaction, and moderated by gender. A large sample of adults ( N = 1210, Mage = 27.07 years, SD = 7.87, 44.8% cisgender men, 47.9% cisgender women, 7.3% other genders) completed an online questionnaire on various sexual and life experiences. Linear regression of sexual depression on bullying incidence was statistically significant ( β = .08, p = .001), as was our moderated mediation model ( R2 = .42, F(21, 1188) = 40.15, p < .001). Bullying was positively associated with shame ( B = .09, p < .001) and social anxiety ( B = .06, p < .001), and negatively associated with body satisfaction ( B = −.06, p < .001). Furthermore, shame ( B = .35, p < .001), social anxiety ( B = .15, p = .011) and lower body satisfaction ( B = −.25, p < .001) were positively associated with sexual depression. Shame was more strongly associated with sexual depression for cisgender men ( B = .03, 95% CI = [.02, .05]) than for cisgender women ( B = .01, 95% CI = [.00, .02]). Altogether, shame, social anxiety, and low body satisfaction fully mediated the relationship between bullying incidence in youth and sexual depression in adulthood. Implications for strengthening anti-bullying measures in schools and for promoting sexual well-being are discussed.

Talk to us

Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have

Schedule a call

Disclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.