Grant: Project Grant

Despite decades of research and prevention campaigns, early interpersonal trauma (EIT; neglect, psychological maltreatment, sexual abuse, etc.) remains an endemic understudied health problem in Canada. Only considering witnessed inter-parental violence, sexual and physical abuse, 32% of Canadians report EIT. Given its interpersonal nature (i.e., caused by another human), EIT may lead to dreadful effects on psycho-relational health (e.g., depression, sexual dysfunctions) that may hamper the survivors' ability to establish or maintain healthy couple relationships. However, couple relationships are the most significant relationships for a majority of adults and a healthy couple has been found to be a key determinant of health, well-being and longevity over the lifespan. Emerging adulthood is a particularly high-risk period for the development of chronic and costly psycho-relational health issues. Yet, there is scarce data on the health effects of EIT in young couples. This project aims to elucidate the links between EIT and psycho-relational health in young couples, while examining systemic effects within couples and differences across men and women. We expect that EIT will lead to increased psycho-relational health problems, but that key variables, such as partner support, will act as protection factors. A Quebec representative sample of emerging adults in a couple relationship will complete questionnaires assessing EIT, psychological (e.g., depression) and relational health (e.g., sexual dysfunctions), at baseline and one year later to examine systemic effects in couples over time. Beyond contributing to empirical and theoretical refinements, this project will generate data-driven findings to guide prevention and treatment tools targeted to EIT survivors and their partners. This project will contribute to the possibility of breaking the cycle of violence, promoting the health of EIT survivors and their couple, thus positively affecting the Canadian population.