Presentation Schedule
Sexual Abuse and Women’s Sexual Life: A Review of Studies Conducted in Turkey (102667)
Session Chair: Şeyma Tunçay
This presentation will be live-streamed via Zoom (Online Access)
Friday, 27 March 2026 16:30
Session: Session 3
Room: Live-Stream Room 1
Presentation Type: Live-Stream Presentation
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Sexual abuse has profound and long-term consequences on women’s sexual functioning and well-being. While international research highlights associations with dysfunction, avoidance, and diminished intimacy, the Turkish context provides unique insights shaped by sociocultural and familial dynamics. This review aims to synthesize existing empirical findings from Turkey on the relationship between sexual abuse and women’s sexual life. A systematic search of databases including Scopus, Web of Science, PsycINFO, Google Scholar, and TR Index was conducted for studies published in Turkish or English up to 2025. Eligible studies included Turkish female samples, using quantitative, qualitative, or mixed methods, with outcomes related to sexual functioning, intimacy, satisfaction, and trauma-related effects. PRISMA guidelines were followed in screening and synthesis. Findings reveal that women with a history of sexual abuse report higher levels of sexual dysfunction, including difficulties with desire, arousal, and pain, as well as reduced sexual satisfaction and intimacy avoidance. Mediating factors commonly identified include post-traumatic stress symptoms, emotion regulation difficulties, and negative self-concept. Culturally specific themes such as stigma, silence, gender role expectations, and limited access to sexual health services further exacerbate these difficulties. Qualitative studies highlight experiences of shame, secrecy, and disrupted partner relationships. This review underscores the importance of culturally sensitive, trauma-informed approaches to both clinical practice and policy in Turkey. Gaps remain in prospective and intervention-based research, and greater integration of standardized measures is needed. By contextualizing Turkish findings within global literature, this study offers implications for prevention, therapy, and future research.
Authors:
Şeyma Tunçay, Beykoz University, Tuerkiye
About the Presenter(s)
She is currently an Assistant Professor at Beykoz University, Istanbul, Turkey.
Connect on Linkedin
https://tr.linkedin.com/in/şeyma-tunçay-3b783119a
See this presentation on the full schedule – Friday Schedule
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