Positive intimate relationships decrease depression in sexually abused women

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Abstract
A sample of 737 adult women was studied to determine if adjustment to intimate relationships, depression, and level of severity of childhood sexual abuse were related. Multiple analysis of variance was run to see if depression scores were associated with three categories of severity of abuse and three levels of adjustment in intimate relationships. The results suggested that as severity of abuse moved from no abuse, to noncontact abuse, to contact abuse, scores measuring to intimate relationship decreased. It was also found that increased relationship adjustment was associated with lower levels of depression in survivors of sexual abuse. The greater the adjustment to intimate relationships, the lower the depression scores, despite the severity of the childhood abuse. Successful intimate relationships may be beneficial for survivors by giving themsafety,interpersonal experiences, and re-connection.