Childhood sexual abuse leaves lasting scars on adult relationships, with survivors experiencing significantly more interpersonal problems throughout life compared to those without abuse history, according to research conducted by Dr. Bernadette Marson.
The cross-sectional study examined 103 women from Trinidad with an average age of 33.97 years, using anonymous surveys to explore the relationship between childhood sexual abuse and interpersonal functioning. Participants completed the Early Sexual Experience Checklist and the Inventory of Interpersonal Problems assessment to measure these variables.
Results showed women with no abuse history scored dramatically lower on interpersonal problem measures (63.56) compared to survivors of childhood sexual abuse (109.02), demonstrating the profound impact of early trauma on adult relationships, said lead researcher Dr. Bernadette Marson, a Clinical Consultant, Author, and Educator. The research was published in the Journal of International Women’s Studies as part of selected papers from the 9th World Conference on Women’s Studies.
Dr. Marson’s findings revealed disturbing patterns about abuse perpetrators and circumstances. Among women who experienced childhood sexual abuse, many were between 7 and 15 years old when first abused, while perpetrators ranged from 11 to 47 years old. A vast majority of survivors (67.4%) were abused by relatives, with cousins being the most common perpetrators (36.9%), followed by fathers (10.9%) and brothers (8.7%).
“Child sexual abuse is a pervasive social problem that can have long-term effects on women’s relationships because it makes them vulnerable to revictimization,” explained Dr. Marson. “Girls are more vulnerable than boys to be victims of CSA, and those abused by someone they trust are at higher risk of experiencing increased trauma and interpersonal problems.”
The study uncovered that most survivors (52.2%) experienced abuse five or more times, with 34.8% reporting that the abuse continued for a year or more. These prolonged experiences appear to correlate with more severe relationship difficulties later in life.
When asked about what drew her to this challenging field of study, Dr. Marson shared, “I started seeing these patterns in my clinical practice years ago. Too many women were struggling with the same relationship issues, and when we traced it back, childhood abuse was often at the root.”
Using standardized assessment tools, Dr. Marson identified several troubling patterns among survivors. CSA survivors scored highest on measures of “cold” interpersonal styles, followed by “exploitable,” “overly nurturant,” and “non-assertive” relationship patterns.
Those scoring high on the “cold” scale typically struggle to maintain long-term commitments and show little affection toward others, often exhibiting social anxiety and shyness. Individuals classified as “exploitable” tend to sacrifice their interests for others and may be at risk for further victimization – creating a cycle of relationship dysfunction that proves difficult to break.
The research identified significant correlations between several abuse characteristics and adult relationship functioning. Early onset of CSA strongly predicted more severe interpersonal problems later in life. Additionally, the use of force by perpetrators was closely related to interpersonal deficits in survivors.
Perhaps most troubling, intrafamilial abuse emerged as a significant predictor for future relationship problems. Women who experienced sexual abuse within the family reported overall greater interpersonal difficulties compared with non-abused participants.
“Given the difficulties adult survivors of CSA may experience by having poor-quality relationships, developing trusting relationships and positive responsiveness in their adult relationships is key for CSA survivors to improve their happiness,” Dr. Marson emphasized.
Her research provides compelling evidence that childhood sexual abuse has lasting negative effects on adult relationships. Dr. Marson argues that because CSA seriously impacts mental health and the overall well-being of future generations, it should be considered a public health concern requiring comprehensive intervention.
The study concludes that preventive measures are essential to address this widespread issue. Dr. Marson suggests implementing school-based education on CSA prevention, with children attending workshops focused on self-defense, safety steps, identifying body parts, boundary violations, and distinguishing between safe and unsafe contact.
“Identifying survivors of CSA who are at risk of experiencing interpersonal difficulties in relationships and identifying different approaches to support them in maintaining more satisfying, stable, and meaningful relationships would have fundamental public health and economic benefits,” Dr. Marson concluded.
For more information about Dr. Bernadette Marson and her work, visit her websites at bernadettemarson.com and marsonconsulting.com. Her research study can be accessed at the Journal of International Women’s Studies.
