This cross-sectional study examined how childhood vs. adulthood sexual violence relate to impaired social inclusion, non-suicidal self-injury (NSSI), and health/well-being among asexual young adults (ages 18–30) using data from the 2021 Ace Community Survey (N = 6,163).
Both childhood and adulthood sexual violence were significantly linked to worse health/well-being, greater impaired social inclusion, and higher NSSI likelihood. Childhood sexual violence showed **broader and stronger** associations with health impairment and NSSI than adulthood sexual violence. Impaired social inclusion significantly **mediated** the path from both types of sexual violence to adverse health outcomes and NSSI.
- Cross-sectional design prevents causal inference between sexual violence, social inclusion, and outcomes. - Self-selected online community survey sample may not represent all asexual individuals. - Retrospective self-report of childhood sexual violence introduces recall and response bias.
Clinicians should not assume asexual identity protects against sexual victimization — screen asexual patients for both childhood and adult trauma. Trauma-informed care for this group should also address identity-related social exclusion, as it mediates the link between sexual violence and NSSI/poor health.
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