CHILDHOOD SEXUAL ABUSE AND COUPLES RELATIONSHIPS - FEMALE SURVIVORS REPORTS IN THERAPY GROUPS

Therapy videotapes from five therapy groups for female child sexual ab use (CSA) survivors were analyzed for emerging themes of couples' diff iculties reported by clients. Subsequently, the thematic categories we re applied to sessions selected from an additional four groups and the n correlated with CSA-specific variables. The two most frequent relati onship themes were difficulties with emotional communication or intima cy, and polarized positions on control. Whereas these two themes were correlated with survivors' CSA characteristics, sexual difficulties we re correlated with survivors' level of current traumatic symptomatolog y. Results are discussed in terms of implication for the treatment of CSA survivors and their partners.