Intimacy dysfunction and trauma symptomatology: Long‐term correlates of different types of child abuse

Abstract

~~The relationships among interpersonal functioning, symptomatology, and childhood abuse were examined in 315 university women. Women reporting childhood abuse had lower quality of past interpersonal relationships, greater fear of intimacy, and greater trauma symptomatology than nonabused women had. Regression analyses indicated that experiencing both sexual and physical abuse, more extensive psychological abuse, and current sexual concerns, defensive avoidance, dissociation, and intrusive experiences were signifcant predictors of fear of intimacy. Dysfunctional sexual behaviors, impaired self-reference, and depression were signifcant predictors of the quality of current interpersonal relationships, whereas sexual abuse or multiple abuse experiences in childhood and angerhitability were predictors of the quality of prior interpersonal relationships. Implications for future research and treatment are discussed.

The Mediating Effect of Hostility Toward Women on the Relationship Between Childhood Emotional Abuse and Sexual Violence Perpetration

“…For instance, CEA exposure has been linked to several negative emotional and interpersonal outcomes among victims, including anger and irritability (Teicher, Samson, Polcari, & McGreenery, 2006), dissociation (Teicher et al, 2006), marital dissatisfaction (Perry, DiLillo, & Peugh, 2007), and increased psychopathy and interpersonal deficits (Mullen, Martin, Anderson, Romans, & Herbison, 1996). The development of these risk characteristics, or others, as a result of emotional maltreatment increases an individual's odds of engaging in other negative behaviors, including SV, and may impede the development of successful and satisfying relationships in adulthood (Davis, Petretic-Jackson, & Ting, 2001), including sexual relationships and intimacy (Davis et al, 2001;Mullen et al, 1996).…”

The Impact of Child Abuse History, PTSD Symptoms, and Anger Arousal on Dating Violence Perpetration Among College Women

“…The effects of CA on PTSD may persist over time, with approximately 21-50% of CA victims meeting diagnostic criteria for PTSD in childhood, and 33-38% continuing to meet criteria for PTSD in adulthood (Kearney et al 2010;Kiser et al 1991). Female victims of CA are more likely to report PTSD symptoms than nonvictims (e.g., Davis et al 2001;Feerick and Snow 2005;Hetzel and McCanne 2005;Schneider et al 2007;Sullivan et al 2005;Swan et al 2005). For example, college women who reported any form of CA endorsed more trauma symptoms than nonvictims (Davis et al 2001), and community women who were victims of any type of CA were 23 times more likely to be at risk for developing PTSD than nonvictims (Schneider et al 2007).…”

“…Female victims of CA are more likely to report PTSD symptoms than nonvictims (e.g., Davis et al 2001;Feerick and Snow 2005;Hetzel and McCanne 2005;Schneider et al 2007;Sullivan et al 2005;Swan et al 2005). For example, college women who reported any form of CA endorsed more trauma symptoms than nonvictims (Davis et al 2001), and community women who were victims of any type of CA were 23 times more likely to be at risk for developing PTSD than nonvictims (Schneider et al 2007). Both CPA and CSA were positively associated with PTSD symptoms among community and shelter women (Becker et al 2010).…”

Young Women's Social and Occupational Development and Mental Health in the Aftermath of Child Sexual Abuse

“…For example, regarding school performance, CSA has been associated with lower college completion rates (Duncan 2000) and lower grade point averages (Gibby-Smith 1995). In the relationship domain, which is especially pertinent to the goals and self-concept of women (McClelland 1990), sexually abused university women were more likely to report anxious and avoidant attachment styles in adult romantic relationships (Lewis et al 2003), and reported greater fears of intimacy and poorer past relationship quality than those without a history of abuse (Davis et al 2001). While these lines of research have been useful in supporting theory concerning the aftermath of CSA, these singular foci detract attention from the multifaceted developmental contexts of young adult development, which are increasingly of concern in both developmental theory and policy-oriented research on adolescence and young adulthood (Lerner et al 1994;Trickett et al 1996).…”