Sexual narcissism and the abusive male

Abstract

This study compared abusive husbands with nonabusive, marital discordant husbands using seven measures to ascertain certain sexual characteristics of abusers. Both samples were then matched and completed the Relationship Closeness Inventory, the Hurlbert Index of Sexual Assertiveness, the Sexual Opinion Survey to assess the extent of negative (erotophobic) to positive (erotophilic) attitudes toward sex; the Sexuality Scale for its measures of sexual-esteem, sexual-preoccupation, and sexual depression; and the Index of Sexual Satisfaction. As predicted, abusive husbands evidenced significantly lower relationship closeness, sexual assertiveness, and sexual satisfaction in their marriages than did nonabusive husbands. Also, physically abusive men demonstrated more negative (erotophobic) attitudes toward sex and greater sexual preoccupation than did the nonabusers. Inconsistent with our predictions, however, abusive husbands evidenced significantly greater sexual esteem. An egocentric pattern of sexual behavior appeared in the marital relationships of abusive husbands. This pattern, referred to as "sexual narcissism," is discussed.