Éliane Dussault (she/her), PhD
Post Doc, Year 1
Research Interests: Childhood Maltreatment; Trauma-Sensitive Mindfulness; Sexual Mindfulness; Interpersonal Mindfulness in Romantic Relationships; Sexual and Relational Well-Being; Qualitative Research; Dyadic Daily and Longitudinal Research
Biography: Éliane Dussault is a postdoctoral researcher under the supervision of Profs. Sophie Bergeron (UdeM) and Bassam Khoury (McGill). Her research examines mindfulness as a mechanism promoting romantic partners' sexual and relational well-being following childhood maltreatment. Her doctoral thesis was entitled Mindfulness, Sexuality, and Relationality in Adult Survivors of Childhood Maltreatment (CM). Her doctoral work allowed her to develop expertise primarily in qualitative designs and analyses focused on individuals. Previously, she also worked on an evaluative study of a trauma-sensitive, mindfulness-based intervention for complex trauma survivors. She is also co-founder of Insight communication scientifique, a knowledge mobilization consultancy for the social sciences.
Supervisors: Sophie Bergeron & Bassam Khoury
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· PhD Sexology
· MA Sexology
· BA Sexology
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x – Lafortune, D., Dussault, É., Canivet, C., Williams, M.E., & Dubé, S. (in press, 06/2026). Why do male users engage with connected sex toys? A latent class analysis of motivational profiles. Archives of Sexual Behavior.
17 – Godbout, N., Dussault, É., Fernet, M., Boucher, N., & Boileau, M.-J. (2025). Constats en lien avec l’implantation d’une pratique évaluative basées sur une offre de services individuelle et de groupe basée sur la présence attentive sensible au trauma. Revue canadienne en évaluation de programme, 39(3), 585-600. https://doi.org/10.3138/cjpe-2024-0017
16 – Dussault, É., Williams, M.E., & Lafortune, D. (2025). ‘How’ matters more than ‘how much’: Demographics, usage context, and sexual wellbeing related to partnered teledildonics use in men. The Journal of Sex Research, 63(2), 299-309. https://doi.org/10.1080/00224499.2025.2510451
15 – Dussault, É., Fernet, M., Boucher, N., Boileau, M.-J., & Godbout, N. (2025). A qualitative evaluation of a mindfulness-based intervention for complex trauma survivors. Mindfulness, 16, 2045-2065. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12671-025-02599-4
14 – Williams, M. E., Lafortune, D., Canivet, C., & Dussault, É. (2025). Sex toy use in Québec (Canada): Prevalence across demographics, motivations, and links with erotophobia and sexual satisfaction. Journal of Sex and Marital Therapy, 51(3), 283-297. https://doi.org/10.1080/0092623X.2025.2464092
13 – Dussault, É., Lafortune, D., Canivet, C., Boislard, M.-A., Leavitt, C. E., & Godbout, N. (2024). Validation of the French Sexual Mindfulness Measure and its links with psychosexual well-being. Sexual and Relationship Therapy, 39(4), 1074-1090. https://doi.org/10.1080/14681994.2021.2009794
12 – Dussault, É., Fernet, M., Guyon, R., & Godbout, N. (2024). Mindfulness and post-traumatic growth in childhood sexual abuse and psychological maltreatment survivors. The Canadian Journal of Human Sexuality, 13(1), 72-85. https://doi.org/10.3138/cjhs-2023-0006
11 – Lafortune, D., Dussault, É., Vaillancourt-Morel, M.-P., Lapointe, V. A., Blais, M., & Godbout, N. (2024). Is sexual aversion a distinct disorder or a trans-diagnostic symptom across sexual dysfunctions? A latent class analysis. Journal of Sex and Marital Therapy 50(1), 105-120. https://doi.org/10.1080/0092623X.2023.2261933
10 – Lafortune, D., Girard, M., Dussault, É., Philibert, M., Hébert, M., Boislard, M.-A., Goyette, M., & Godbout, N. (2023). Who seeks sex therapy? Sexual dysfunction prevalence and correlates, and help-seeking among clinical and community samples. PLOS One, 18(3), e0282618. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0282618
9 – Hémond-Dussault, V., Dussault, É., Hébert, M., & Godbout, N. (2023). Childhood interpersonal trauma and relationality among profiles of mindfulness facets. Mindfulness, 14, 348-359. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12671-022-02038-8
8 – Lafortune, D., Dussault, É., Philibert, M., & Godbout, N. (2022). Prevalence and correlates of sexual aversion: A Canadian community-based study. The Journal of Sexual Medicine, 19(8), 1269-1280. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jsxm.2022.05.142
7 – Dussault, É., Girard, M., Fernet, M., & Godbout, N. (2022). A hierarchical cluster analysis of childhood interpersonal trauma and dispositional mindfulness: Heterogeneity of sexual and relational outcomes in adulthood. Journal of Child Sexual Abuse, 31(7) 831-854. https://doi.org/10.1080/10538712.2022.2090477
6 – Dussault, É., Lafortune, D., Fernet, M., & Godbout, N. (2022). Mindfulness in survivors of cumulative childhood interpersonal trauma: A Buddhist conceptualization of suffering and healing. Mindfulness, 13(7), 1816-1822. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12671-022-01922-7
5 – Guyon, R., Fernet, M., Dussault, É., Gauthier-Duchesne, A., Cousineau, M-M., Tardif, M., & Godbout, N. (2021). Experiences of disclosure and reactions of close ones from the perspective of child sexual abuse survivors: A qualitative analysis of gender specificities. Journal of Child Sexual Abuse, 30(7) 806-827. https://doi.org/10.1080/10538712.2021.1942369
4 – Dussault, É., Fernet, M., & Godbout, N. (2020). A metasynthesis of qualitative studies on mindfulness, sexuality and relationality. Mindfulness, 12(11) 2682-2694. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12671-020-01463-x
3 – Dussault, É., & Duquet, F. (2020). Évaluation des effets dans le domaine de l’éducation à la sexualité au primaire : Exemple tiré d’une évaluation de programme de prévention de la sexualisation précoce. Revue canadienne en évaluation de programme, 35(1), 74-91. https://doi.org/10.3138/cjpe.62847
2 – Godbout, N., Bakhos, G., Dussault, É., & Hébert, M. (2020). Childhood interpersonal trauma and sexual satisfaction: The role of mindfulness and psychological distress. Journal of Sex and Marital Therapy, 46(1), 43-56. https://doi.org/10.1080/0092623X.2019.1626309
1 – Léobon, A., Dussault, É., & Otis, J. (2018). Caractéristiques des HRSH français consommateurs de produits psychoactifs associés au chemsex. Drogues, santé et société, 17(2), 53-75. https://doi.org/10.7202/1062116ar
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Conference Presentations (selection of 1st author references):
Dussault, É., Bergeron, S., Khoury, B., Daspe, M.-È., et Vaillancourt-Morel, M.-P. (2025, November). Maltraitance en enfance et auto-compassion chez les couples: Une étude longitudinale dyadique. Colloque annuel du Centre de recherche interdisciplinaire sur les problèmes conjugaux et les agressions sexuelles, Longueuil, Québec, Canada.
Dussault, É., & Villeneuve, É. (2024, November, invited speaker). La présence attentive et la croissance post-traumatique pour soutenir la sexualité des survivant.e.s de traumas interpersonnels à l'enfance. 4e édition du colloque de l’Ordre professionnel des sexologues du Québec, Québec, Canada.
Dussault, É., Lafortune, D., Williams, M., Dubé, S., & Canivet, C. (2024, July). Sex toy use in Quebec (Canada): Prevalence across demographics and its links with erotophobia and sexual satisfaction. 50th Annual Meeting of the International Academy of Sex Research, Berlin, Germany.
Dussault, É., Baumann, M., & Godbout, N. (2023, November). Le rôle modérateur de la présence attentive dans le lien entre les traumas cumulatifs en enfance et les insécurités d’attachement à l’âge adulte. Colloque annuel du Centre de recherche interdisciplinaire sur les problèmes conjugaux et les agressions sexuelles, Longueuil, Québec, Canada.
Dussault, É., Fernet, M., Guyon, R., et Godbout, N. (2023, June). Posttraumatic growth following mindfulness dispositions, relationality, and sexuality in survivors of childhood sexual abuse and psychological maltreatment. Mind and Life Summer Research Institute 2023, Garrison, New York, United States.
Dussault, É., Fernet, M., Guyon, R., & Godbout, N. (2022, March). Mindfulness and posttraumatic growth within intimate relationships of survivors of childhood sexual abuse and psychological maltreatment. In Guyon, R. (moderator) Sexual, relational and parental adjustment in survivors of childhood interpersonal trauma: mindfulness as a key component. ISPCAN Congress 2022 (Virtual event).
Dussault, É., Fernet, M., Morissette Harvey, F., Brassard, A. & Godbout, N. (2021, July). Mindfulness, relationality, and sexuality: A qualitative metasynthesis to guide trauma-informed professional practices. Dans Godbout N. (moderator) Symposium Interpersonal trauma and sexo-relational functioning: A better understanding to promote fulfilling sexo-relational life. Oral presentation at the International Association for Relationship Research 2020 (Virtual event).
Dussault, É., Lafortune, D., Canivet, C., Jalbert, E., Leavitt, C., & Godbout, N. (2021, May). Validation of the French Sexual Mindfulness Measure and implications for trauma survivors. Canadian Psychological Association 2021 (Virtual event).
Dussault, É., Fernet, M., Lafortune, D., Hémond-Dussault, V., & Godbout, N. (2021, May). Présence attentive chez des survivants de traumas cumulatifs en enfance : une conceptualisation bouddhiste de la souffrance et de la guérison. 88e congrès de l’Association francophone pour le savoir (Virtual event).
Dussault, É., Morissette Harvey, F., Godbout, N., & Fernet, M. (2020, November). Métasynthèse des études qualitatives portant sur la présence attentive et le bien-être sexo-relationnel. Colloque annuel du Centre de recherche interdisciplinaire sur les problèmes conjugaux et les agressions sexuelles (CRIPCAS) (Virtual event).
Dussault, É., Morissette Harvey, F., Godbout, N. et Fernet, M. (2020, July). Mindfulness, relationality, and sexuality: A qualitative metasynthesis to guide trauma-informed professional practices. In Langevin R. (Moderator) Symposium Interpersonal trauma in childhood: Long-term impacts on intimate and family relationships. 81st Canadian Psychological Association National Convention (Virtual event).
Dussault, É., Dussault, È. & Léobon, A. (2019, May). Net Gai Baromètre 2017-18: Analyse de contenu des commentaires de fin de questionnaires et profils des participants associés .87e congrès de l’Association francophone pour le savoir, Gatineau, Québec, Canada.
Dussault, É. (2019, May). Évaluation des effets du programme « On est encore des enfants! ». 87e congrès de l’Association francophone pour le savoir, Gatineau, Québec, Canada.
Dussault, É., Fernet, M., Tardif, M., Cousineau, M.-M. & Godbout, N. (2019, March). Bien-être sexo-relationnel chez des adultes : Profils selon les expériences de traumas en enfance et la présence attentive. In Godbout N. (moderator) Symposium Sexe, amour et violence: l’état des connaissances, enjeux pour la recherche et la pratique. Oral presentation at the 41e congrès annuel de la Société québécoise de recherche en psychologie, Mont-Tremblant, Québec, Canada.
Dussault, É., Bigras, N., & Godbout, N. (2018, July). Childhood neglect and adult relatedness: The indirect effect of being mindful. In Dussault, É. (Moderator) Symposium Mindfulness and self-compassion as key processes in mediating life outcomes. 16th Association for Contextual Behavioral Science Annual World Conference, Montréal, Québec, Canada.
Dussault, É., Bigras, N., & Godbout, N. (2018, Julyt). Négligence en enfance et fonctionnement relationnel à l’âge adulte : rôle de la présence attentive. In Godbout, N. (Moderator) Symposium Traumas interpersonnels en enfance et ajustement psycho-relationnel à l’âge adulte : mécanismes explicatifs et intervention. Oral presentation at the International Family Violence and Child Victimization Research Conference, Porthsmouth, New Hampshire, USA.
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Funding:
Postdoctoral Scholarship, Fonds de recherche du Québec – Société et culture (90,000$), 2027-29
DIALOGUE – Student component, Fonds de recherche du Québec – Santé (4,987$), 2021-22
Doctoral Training Scholarship, Fonds de recherche du Québec – Société et culture (79,666$), 2020-24
Awards:
ÉVISSA contest to support manuscript writing, Équipe violence sexuelle et santé, UQAM (500$), 2024
Scholarship for the participation in a scientific event, Social sciences faculty, Université du Québec à Montréal (500$), 2023
Scholarship for the participation in a scientific event, Social sciences faculty, Université du Québec à Montréal (400$), 2022
Scholarship for the participation in a scientific event, Équipe violence sexuelle et santé (ÉVISSA) (260$), 2022
ÉVISSA contest to support manuscript writing, Équipe violence sexuelle et santé, UQAM (750$), 2022
Graduate education scholarship, Interdisciplinary research center on intimate relationship problems and sexual abuse (CRIPCAS) (1,000$), 2019
Excellence scholarship, Faculté des sciences humaines, Université du Québec à Montréal (6,000$), 2018-2019
Graduate education scholarship, CRIPCAS (1,000$), 2018
Scholarship for the quality of academic implication, Sexology deparment, UQAM (200$), 2018
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