Sexual Assault and Dyadic Relationship Satisfaction: Indirect Associations Through Intimacy and Mental Health

Abstract

Rates of child and adult sexual assault (SA) among women are staggering and place women at risk for intra- and interpersonal difficulties. However, the independent contributions of child and adult SA or the mechanisms of this risk are unknown. This study’s goal was to examine the indirect effects of child and adult SA on women’s own and partner’s relationship functioning through their impact on women’s mental health, emotional intimacy, and sexual intimacy. Results revealed that the association of women’s child SA with both her own and her partner’s relationship satisfaction operated through emotional intimacy. Considerations for the study of women with a history of SA in the context of couple functioning are discussed.