The Residuum of Childhood Physical and Sexual Abuse: Coming to Terms in Couple Relationships

Abstract

Childhood exposure to physical violence and sexual abuse is a public health concern and is empirically connected to poor outcomes in adulthood. The present study was designed to assess dyadic associations between exposure to childhood physical violence and sexual abuse, and resolution, or a sense that one has “come to terms” with events in one’s family of origin. The study was also aimed at assessing whether attachment behaviors mediated associations between abuse, violence, and resolution. The study was carried out using data from a community sample of 3,836 heterosexual couples who completed the Relationship Evaluation Questionnaire inventory. Actor–Partner Interdependence Modeling was employed within a structural equation model to examine associations. Results suggested inverse, direct actor associations for both men and women between physical violence and sexual abuse, and coming to terms. The results also showed inverse, direct partner associations for both men and women between sexual abuse and coming to terms. Furthermore, findings indicated the presence of inverse, indirect actor and partner effects for men and women between physical violence and coming to terms. Examination of these specific indirect partner and actor effects from physical violence to coming to terms implies partial mediation carried through one’s own rating of attachment behaviors. Finally, actor (but not partner) associations were noted between attachment behaviors and coming to terms. In aggregate, the findings support the potential benefit of enhancing investment in attachment behaviors as a resource to aid in the resolution process of exposure to physical violence and sexual abuse in childhood.

Partner Effects of Childhood Maltreatment: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

“…Three studies examined how a person’s CM was related to their partner’s romantic attachment behaviors and showed mixed findings. Women and men’s CPA and CSA were significantly related to their partner’s lower attachment behaviors (accessibility, responsiveness, and engagement) ( Banford Witting & Busby, 2022 ) and women’s CPA and CEA were related to their partner’s higher attachment anxiety ( Godbout et al, 2009 ). However, women’s CPA and CEA were not significantly related to their partner’s higher attachment avoidance, men’s CPA and CEA were not significantly related to their partner’s attachment anxiety and avoidance ( Godbout et al, 2009 ), and a person’s CEA was not significantly related to their partner’s attachment avoidance and anxiety ( Riggs et al, 2011 ).…”

“…Six studies reported significant associations. Women and men’s CM were related to their partner’s negative urgency ( Dugal et al, 2020 ) and women and men’s CPA and CSA were significantly related to their partner’s lower feeling of coming to terms with what happened in their family of origin ( Banford Witting & Busby, 2022 ). Women’s CSA was related to their partner’s higher emotional numbing during an in-lab conflictual discussion ( Millwood, 2011 ).…”

Longitudinal anxiety in couples during a global pandemic: Considering loss, attachment behaviors, and trauma coping self‐efficacy

“…Furthermore, recent studies utilizing dyadic data to investigate the effects of large‐scale stressors (i.e., disasters) are rare (see Banford Witting & Busby, 2020 for a review). Yet, dyadic studies are important to develop understanding of how partners’ experiences may influence one another through the examination of partner effects rather than relying on the perspective of only one partner.…”

“…Furthermore, recent research has proposed romantic relationships characterized by warmth and responsiveness can be leveraged as a resource in resolving past difficulties. In other words, investing in attachment behaviors within the couple relationship may be beneficial in the resolution of trauma (Banford Witting & Busby, 2020). It seems that high levels of attachment behaviors can be one facet of a relational context helpful in recovery from the potentially deleterious effects of exposure to trauma, loss, and stress which are all potential features of the experience of the global pandemic for some couples.…”