The Effects of Traumatic and Abusive Relationships

Abstract

The present study aimed to understand what constitutes a traumatic relationship experience for adults in abusive intimate relationships and what effects, losses, and coping strategies were the most salient for these participants. A total of 101 individuals (42 males, 59 females) who reported experiencing an abusive or traumatic relationship participated. A mixed-method content analysis approach was used to derive the salient categories representative of participants' traumatic relationship experience and the resulting effects. Participants' responses to their most traumatic and distressing relationship experience revealed two themes: relational abuse and internal turmoil/stressful reactions. Participants also described numerous effects from the abusive relationship on their lives. Content analysis revealed four themes: internal turmoil, interpersonal affect, dysfunctional coping, and strength/empowerment. These findings are discussed in relation to treatment considerations for individuals experiencing relationship trauma.

The authors wish to thank Dr. David Teplin for allowing sampling at his clinic.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Tricia L. Orzeck

Tricia L. Orzeck is a psychologist in Vancouver, British Columbia. She teaches at the University of British Columbia and with Campus Alberta Tri-Universities as a faculty member in the psychology and human kinetics departments. Tricia's research interests include abusive relationships in a variety of contexts and their traumatic outcomes, sport and exercise psychology, and psychometrics.

Ami Rokach

Ami Rokach is a clinical psychologist in Toronto, Canada. He is a part-time faculty member in the psychology departments at York and Walden universities. Ami's research interests are loneliness, sex therapy, traumatic relationships and their effect on the victim, correctional psychology, and caring for the sick and the dying.

Jacqueline Chin

Jacqueline Chin has recently completed her specialized honors degree in psychology at York University, and will be attending the clinical psychology program at Queen's University to pursue a career as both an academic psychologist and clinician. Her research interests include the assessment and treatment of trauma, suicidal ideation, and depression.