PURPOSE: Childhood sexual abuse is a risk factor for somatic symptoms during adulthood. Mechanisms linking childhood sexual abuse to somatic symptoms are not well known, nor are moderators that buffer the influence of abuse.
METHODS: The present study utilized path analyses to explore among a sample of middle-aged adults (N = 264) whether childhood sexual abuse was positively associated with somatic symptoms, the mechanistic role of depression, and the buffering role of intimate partner relationship quality.
RESULTS: Among the full sample and those with lower intimate partner relationship quality, there was a significant, positive indirect effect of childhood sexual abuse on somatic symptom severity via depression. Among those with high intimate partner relationship quality there was neither a direct nor indirect effect of childhood sexual abuse on somatic symptom severity.
CONCLUSIONS: Depression may serve as a mechanism in the transmission of risk from childhood sexual abuse to somatic symptoms at midlife, whereas intimate partner relationship quality may serve as a protective factor.
The association between childhood sexual abuse and somatic symptoms at midlife: The roles of depression and intimate partner relationship quality
Journal of Family Violence [Epub 2024 Dec 30]. doi: 10.1007/s10896-024-00800-1.