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Intimacy dysfunction and trauma symptomatology: Long‐term correlates of different types of child abuse
Author(s) -
Davis Joanne L.,
PetreticJackson Patricia A.,
Ting Ling
Publication year - 2001
Publication title -
journal of traumatic stress
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.259
H-Index - 134
eISSN - 1573-6598
pISSN - 0894-9867
DOI - 10.1023/a:1007835531614
Subject(s) - dysfunctional family , psychology , sexual abuse , psychological abuse , irritability , clinical psychology , anger , interpersonal communication , interpersonal relationship , child abuse , poison control , physical abuse , victimology , psychiatry , suicide prevention , developmental psychology , anxiety , medicine , medical emergency , social psychology
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 significant predictors of fear of intimacy. Dysfunctional sexual behaviors, impaired self‐reference, and depression were significant predictors of the quality of current interpersonal relationships, whereas sexual abuse or multiple abuse experiences in childhood and anger/irritability were predictors of the quality of prior interpersonal relationships. Implications for future research and treatment are discussed.