Abstract
Purpose
Child maltreatment (CM) is a serious public health problem that can have severe repercussions, including negatively affecting the interpersonal functioning of those impacted. Throughout development, individuals with CM histories have been found to be at greater risk of difficulties in their relationships and having less social support than non-maltreated individuals. CM has also been found to show intergenerational continuity. The current scoping review aimed to synthesize the qualitative literature on the relationship experiences of individuals with nonsexual CM histories, to better understand their relationships with their partners, children, extended family and friends. Understanding these experiences may inform the contexts under which unhealthy social environments are formed, potentially leading to intergenerational continuity of CM.
Method
PsycINFO, MEDLINE, and Web of Science were searched. Peer-reviewed studies with qualitative results on the relationship experiences of adults with nonsexual CM histories were included. Studies with samples of CSA survivors only were excluded, as well as reviews, books/book chapters, or theses/dissertations, and studies written in a language other than English or French.
Results
A total of 42 articles were included and explored participants’ experiences in their relationships with their parents, partners, and children, their general relationship functioning, and their social support.
Conclusions
This literature summarizes the positive and negative adult relationship experiences of individuals with nonsexual CM histories with their immediate family and partners and highlights their lack of social support. Findings underscore the impacts of nonsexual CM on interpersonal functioning in adulthood and are discussed in light of attachment theory.