The Association Between the Report of Abuse in Childhood and Perceptions of Safety in Current Adult Intimate Relationships

Keywords

childhood abuse, adult relationships, violence, trauma, abuse

Abstract

This study investigated the association between reporting the experience of childhood abuse and perceptions of safety in current adult relationships. Data from 177 couples were collected from both clinic and community samples. Results suggest that when violence is present, people who reported being abused as a child are more likely to have lower feelings of safety in their current relationship than those who have not been abused in childhood. When no violence is present in the relationship, there is no difference in perceptions of safety between those who were and were not abused as a child. Clinical implications are discussed.

Original Publication Citation

Novak, J. R., Smith, D. B., & Sandberg, J. G. (2015). The association between the report of abuse in childhood and perceptions of safety in current adult intimate relationships. The American Journal of Family Therapy, 43(5), 425-440.

Document Type

Peer-Reviewed Article

Publication Date

2015-08-28

Permanent URL

http://hdl.lib.byu.edu/1877/6997

Publisher

The American Journal of Family Therapy

Language

English

College

Family, Home, and Social Sciences

Department

Family Life

University Standing at Time of Publication

Full Professor

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