PSYCH 7 Effects of Child Abuse on Adult Relationships

1. Effects of Child Abuse on
Adult Relationships
America Rodriguez, Parveen Kaur, Alma Romero
Psych 7: Research Methods
Professor Allison Buckley

2. Abstract
This research study was conducted to analyze the effects of childhood abuse
in adult relationships through an anonymous survey. Twenty subjects
participated in the study and answered questions about how they were treated
as a child and how they feel about their current relationship. Correlations were
conducted between childhood abuse and how people are likely to develop
avoidant attachment styles within adult relationships. Though a wide array of
distinct abuse exists, the sole focus was on physical abuse endured by the
participants from the caregiver.

3. Hypothesis and background of abuse and
relationships
People who experienced physical abuse in
their childhood are more likely to
experience an avoidant attachment style
in their intimate relationships in
adulthood.
The standards of abuse in this study were hand
to flesh, object to flesh, and verbal. Although all
kind of abuse is wrong this was the main focus.
Relationship standards in this study were
considered as feeling fully supported, confident
of oneself, and safe with a partner as a healthy
relationship. Compared to an unhealthy
relationship, when one of the persons in the
relationship feels uncomfortable, is startled
easily, and feel the need to be silent.

4. Participants and
Method
Participants were asked to take an anonymous survey that
consisted of interpersonal questions regarding their childhood
upbringing and adult relationships. The survey was then
distributed among social media platforms through links and QR
codes, where participants were voluntarily given the option to
participate.
This specific study didn’t record any age and gender
demographics, but was taken among several states by various
participants throughout the United States and Mexico alike.
Some of these states included New Jersey, Washington, New
York, and California.

5. Results
The results found that anyone who was abused themselves do have
attachment issue within their adult relationship. The correlation between these
two variables was p<0.55. Unfortunately this was our prediction, that children
that were abused in the past develop avoidant attachment style with their
intimate partners as adults.

6. Discussion
A majority of our participants have gone through different forms of abuse,
which led them to develop an avoidant attachment style in their adult
relationships.The Pearson R’s of our results, p<0.55, showcased a positive
correlation between both variables presented. This means the more prominent
the physical abuse was, the higher the development of avoidant attachment
styles was within these adult relationships.
Going through any type of abuse can create various different types of
attachment issues in adult relationships because the victim doesn’t want to
relive history through their partner again.

7. References
Eikenaes, I., Egeland, J., Hummelen, B., & Wilberg, T. (2015, March). Avoidant Personality Disorder versus Social Phobia: The Significance of Childhood Neglect. ProQuest | Better Research,
Better Learning, better insights. Retrieved May 14, 2022, from https://www.proquest.com/
Olivia, J., Velayo, R., & Erwin, K. (2007). The effects of experienced childhood maternal abuse on adult attachment styles . Modern Psychological Studies - UTC scholar. Retrieved May 14, 2022,
from https://scholar.utc.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1197&context=mps
Sherwood, G. (2019, June 5). Attachment trauma & relationships - adult children of abuse. Glynis Sherwood. Retrieved May 14, 2022, from https://glynissherwood.com/attachment-trauma-in-
adults/
Snyder, J., Schrepferman, L., Bullard, L., McEachern, A., & Patterson, G. (2012, August). Covert antisocial behavior, peer deviancy training, parenting processes, and sex differences in the
development of antisocial behavior during childhood. ProQuest | Better Research, Better Learning, better insights. Retrieved May 14, 2022, from https://www.proquest.com/
Stephen, H., & Andreopoulos. (2002). Childhood Trauma and Childhood Sexual Abuse as Predictor Variables of Adult Attachment and Adult Partner Violence in a Population of Substance
Abusing Men. ProQuest | Better Research, Better Learning, better insights. Retrieved May 14, 2022, from https://www.proquest.com/
Unger, J. A., & De Luca, R. (2014, April). The Relationship Between Childhood Physical Abuse and Adult Attachment Styles. ProQuest | Better Research, Better Learning, better insights. Retrieved
May 14, 2022, from https://www.proquest.com/