Childhood maltreatment (CM) has been consistently associated with negative sexual outcomes in couples. Yet, its link with sexual motivation, which plays a key role in relational and sexual well-being, remains elusive. Based on self-determination theory, sexual motivations encompass intrinsic motivation, extrinsic motivation (i.e., integrated, identified, introjected, and external), and amotivation. This study examined the dyadic longitudinal associations between CM and these six sexual motivations, while considering the satisfaction of basic psychological needs (i.e., autonomy, competence, and relatedness) as potential mediators. Data from 309 cohabitating couples (50.8% cisgender women, M = 32.64 years, SD = 9.59), collected at three time points over 1 year, were analyzed using actor-partner interdependence mediation models. CM was not significantly related to intrinsic motivation. However, overall, a person’s CM was indirectly associated with their own and their partner’s extrinsic motivation (i.e., integrated, identified, introjected, and external) via their own satisfaction of basic psychological needs for autonomy, competence, and relatedness in the romantic relationship. A person’s CM was also indirectly associated with their own amotivation via their own and their partner’s satisfaction for autonomy and relatedness. Findings suggest that catering to basic psychological needs of couples with a CM history may facilitate healthier sexual dynamics through their associations with sexual motivation.

中文翻译：

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童年虐待与夫妻性动机之间的纵向关联：基本心理需求的作用

童年虐待（CM）一直与夫妻的负面性结果相关。然而，它与性动机的联系仍然难以捉摸，而性动机在人际关系和性健康中发挥着关键作用。根据自我决定理论，性动机包括内在动机、外在动机（即整合性动机、认同性动机、内投性动机和外在性动机）和无动机。本研究考察了 CM 与这六种性动机之间的二元纵向关联，同时考虑基本心理需求（即自主性、能力和相关性）的满足作为潜在的中介因素。使用行为者-伴侣相互依赖中介模型对 309 对同居伴侣（50.8% 顺性别女性，M = 32.64 岁，SD = 9.59）在 1 年多的三个时间点收集的数据进行了分析。CM 与内在动机没有显着相关。然而，总体而言，一个人的 CM 通过他们自己对浪漫关系中自主性、能力和相关性的基本心理需求的满足，与自己和伴侣的外在动机（即整合、认同、内射和外在）间接相关。一个人的 CM 还通过他们自己和伴侣对自主性和关联性的满意度间接与他们自己的动机相关。研究结果表明，满足有 CM 病史的夫妇的基本心理需求可能会通过他们与性动机的联系促进更健康的性动态。