Childhood Sexual Abuse, Other Childhood Factors, and Pathways to Survivors' Adult Relationship Quality

• NCJ Number: 227466
• Journal: Journal of Family Violence Volume: 24 Issue: 6 Dated: August 2009 Pages: 397-406
• Author(s): Eric C. Walker; Thomas B. Holman; Dean M. Busby
• Date Published: August 2009
• Length: 10 pages
• Publication Format: Article
• Publication Type: Report (Study/Research)
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

This study examined whether the effects of childhood sexual abuse, in combination with other adverse childhood experiences, negatively impacted adult romantic relationships.

Abstract

None of the childhood abuse or stress factors individually had a strong link with variables related to the quality of adult romantic relationships; however, these variables in combination accounted for a moderate influence on perceptions of adult relationships. There is an interplay of previous history and ongoing circumstances in which the influence of the past can be magnified or diminished, depending on current factors, including an individual's attitudes. The findings also indicate that a person's perception of childhood experiences and their negative impact on current intimate relationships is a key mediator between childhood experiences and adult relationship quality. Data on 15,831 married or cohabitating individuals were obtained from the RELATionship Evaluation (RELATE) Questionnaire. This is a 274-item questionnaire designed to assess 4 major predictors of premarital and marital relationship quality and stability. Data were collected from 1999 to 2007 via the Internet. The self-reported childhood sexual abuse, which included physical contact, must have occurred before age 18. Questions related to experiences of childhood violence pertained to violence between parents, the respondent's own violent behavior within the family, as well as the frequency of these types of family violence. The childhood stressors measured were family members' having mental disorders, alcohol or drug abuse by family members, health problems, and financial strains. Questions regarding the impact of childhood experiences on current adult romantic relationships focused on personal perceptions regarding ways in which negative childhood experiences had adversely impacted adult relationships. 2 figures, 3 tables, and 35 references