The Relationship Between Sensation Seeking and Risky Sexual Behaviors: The Mediating Role of Childhood Trauma in Individuals with Psychopathic Traits

Abstract

Introduction and Aim: Risky sexual behaviors among individuals with psychopathic traits may be shaped and maintained by personality characteristics such as sensation seeking as well as adverse childhood experiences. This study aimed to examine the relationship between sensation seeking and risky sexual behaviors and to determine the mediating role of childhood trauma in this association among individuals with psychopathic traits.

Methodology: This descriptive-correlational study employed path analysis. The statistical population consisted of individuals with psychopathic traits or a diagnosis of antisocial personality disorder identified during 2025–2026 through psychiatric centers, psychology clinics, specialized counseling centers, and Qazvin Central Prison. Following an initial screening of 320 individuals, 240 participants, including 67 women and 173 men, were selected through purposive sampling. Data were collected using the Childhood Trauma Questionnaire developed by Bernstein et al., the Risky Sexual Behavior Questionnaire developed by Zarei et al., and the Zuckerman Sensation Seeking Scale. Pearson correlation, path analysis, and bootstrap procedures were performed using SPSS 27 and Amos.

Findings: Pearson correlation analysis showed that sensation seeking was positively and significantly correlated with childhood trauma (r=0.484, p<0.01) and risky sexual behaviors (r=0.550, p<0.01), while childhood trauma was also positively associated with risky sexual behaviors (r=0.571, p<0.01). Path analysis indicated that sensation seeking had significant positive direct effects on risky sexual behaviors (β=0.286, p<0.01) and childhood trauma (β=0.276, p<0.01), whereas childhood trauma significantly predicted risky sexual behaviors (β=0.278, p<0.01). The indirect effect of sensation seeking on risky sexual behaviors through childhood trauma was also significant (β=0.077, p<0.01), indicating partial mediation. Model fit indices supported an acceptable fit (χ²/df=3.356, CFI=0.910, GFI=0.916, NFI=0.909, IFI=0.912, RMSEA=0.072, SRMR=0.061).

Conclusion: Sensation seeking was associated with risky sexual behaviors both directly and indirectly through childhood trauma among individuals with psychopathic traits. These findings suggest that simultaneous screening for excessive sensation seeking and childhood trauma, together with trauma-focused interventions and emotion-regulation training, may be relevant components of preventive and therapeutic programs for this population.