The Experiences of Adult Children Who Perceive Their Parents as Struggling with Compulsive Sexual Behaviors.

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Bibliographic Details
Title: The Experiences of Adult Children Who Perceive Their Parents as Struggling with Compulsive Sexual Behaviors.
Authors: Moon, Evan J. (AUTHOR), Macbeth, A. J. (AUTHOR), Vidales, Carlos A. (AUTHOR), Vogel, David L. (AUTHOR), Borgogna, Nicholas C. (AUTHOR), Garos, Sheila (AUTHOR)
Source: Sexual Health & Compulsivity. Apr-Jun2026, Vol. 33 Issue 2, p155-184. 30p.
Subjects: Health services accessibility, Qualitative research, Parent-child relationships, Interviewing, Statistical sampling, Human sexuality, Sex addiction, Family relations, Psychological well-being, Experience, Family systems theory, Research methodology, Phenomenology, Social support, Psychology of adult children, Social stigma
Geographic Terms: United States
Abstract: Compulsive sexual behaviors (CSB) deeply impact the family system in diverse ways. This study aimed to explore the experiences of self-perceived adult children of parents with compulsive sexual behaviors (ACPCSBs) in childhood and adulthood, and the lasting impacts of having a parent they perceived as struggling with CSB. Due to the novelty of researching the experiences of self-perceived ACPCSBs, a qualitative approach was utilized to provide a deeper understanding of the ACPCSB experience. Participants (n = 10) completed semi-structured interviews via Zoom. Interviews were transcribed and analyzed using an interpretive phenomenological analysis. The themes (1) experiences and impacts of self-perceived ACPCSBs and (2) recontextualizing and unraveling their story emerged with numerous subthemes. Participants described their parents' self-perceived CSB as impacting the sexual messages, images, and behaviors modeled to them, as well as lasting impacts to their sexuality, emotional well-being, identity, and relationships. Participants also described recontextualizing past childhood experiences and emotions in adulthood and unraveling the impacts of their parents' self-perceived CSB throughout life. This study highlights the challenges and lasting impacts that self-perceived ACPCSBs experience after growing up in a family system with perceived CSB, as well as the need for greater research documenting ACPCSBs experiences. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
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Database: Psychology and Behavioral Sciences Collection
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