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.