Intimate Partner Mistreatment and Its Influence on Subsequent Interpersonal Relationships

Abstract

My research aims to determine whether mistreatment by a partner in an intimate relationship affects women’s current relationships. Another goal is to edtermine whether women recognize abuse in its various forms. I will measure anxiety, depression and interpersonal relationship satisfaction in participants to assess whether intimate partner mistreatment is correlated with an increase in negative symptoms. Survey questions will provide demographic information and expand on the results of the measures. Mistreatment by intimate partners is believed to have serious physical and psychological consequences. There is a positive correlation between the level of mistreatment and the extent of negative symptoms. (Brown, Hill, Lambert, 2005; Haj-Yahia, 1999). Psychological or emotional and sexual abuse have been postulated as more detrimental to women than physical abuse (Haj-Yahia, 1999) yet this is often overlooked as it is not readily visible and, difficult to measure (Lips, 2006). Furthermore it is hard to do me than correlate outcomes with potential causes. The results of tmy survey can be used to educate the public and professionals about the incidence of relationship abuse and its subsequent impact on women. My research will assess the influence of mistreatment by intimate partners on current interpersonal relationships.