Couple and parenting functioning of childhood sexual abuse survivors: a systematic review of the literature (2001-2018)

ABSTRACT

In this review, 55 unique empirical studies of the impacts of a history of CSA on couple and parenting functioning were identified and analyzed according to assumptions considered in an earlier review. Overall, this current systematic review supported earlier assumptions that CSA survivors would evidence insecure attachments in their adult couple relationships; that CSA survivors would be less likely to marry and more likely to divorce; and that partners would also experience difficulties in relation to their partnership with a CSA survivor. Assumptions about parenting functioning included: that CSA survivors would have different attitudes toward their children; that CSA survivors would function poorly as parents; and that children of CSA survivors would be at increased risk for sexual abuse. Evolutions in the literature since that first review included methodological improvements, as well as the inclusion of male survivors in some studies. More sophisticated statistical modeling allowed for a greater understanding of mediators and moderators in the relationship between CSA and later interpersonal functioning in couple relationships and in parenting. Recommendations for future research and clinical implications were proposed.

KEYWORDS:

• Childhood sexual abuse
• couple functioning
• parenting
• childhood trauma
• abuse

Disclosure of Interest

None to report

Notes

¹ Given the huge growth in this research area, the domains of sexual functioning and interpersonal violence (IPV) will be covered by separate reviews within this special issue.

² Given the huge growth in this research area, the domains of sexual functioning and interpersonal violence (IPV) will be covered by separate reviews within this special issue.

³ For further readings on working with trauma survivors in their couple and attachment relationships see MacIntosh 2019.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Heather B. MacIntosh

Heather B. MacIntosh Ph. D., C.Psych. Director of the MScA in Couple and Family Therapy and Associate Professor in the School of Social Work, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada. She is author of the book Developmental Couple Therapy for Complex Trauma: A Manual for Therapists (2019, Routledge).

A. Dana Ménard

A. Dana Ménard, Ph.D., C.Psych. is Assistant Professor of Clinical Psychology at the University of Windsor, Windsor, Ontario, Canada. She is coauthor of the book Magnificent Sex (2020, Routledge).