Vicariously Traumatized

SUMMARY

This article suggests that male partners of female sexual-abuse survivors may become vicariously traumatized in long term relationships with childhood abuse survivors. Drawing parallels to the symptomology of PTSD and the process of transmission, this article theorizes that highly conflictual home environments may be sufficient to cause distressing psychological and behavioral changes in family members. In these relationships, male partners suffer decrements in self-esteem, power, isolation, and sexual adequacy similar to other sufferers of PTSD. No empirical information is presented, but implications for counseling “dual trauma” couples is included.

Key Words:

• Partners
• child sexual abuse
• survivors
• vicarious traumatization
• relationships