Perceptions of interpersonal functioning: Self reported relational schemas of women survivors of incest

This qualitative study utilized an interpretivist paradigm to investigate how childhood sexual abuse impacts current relationships in 11 women survivors of childhood incest and explored their relational schemes with mothers, fathers, abusers, partners and children. Participants ranged in age from 20-65. They included 8 Caucasian and 3 Latinas. All were clients in rural mental health centers in a mid-western state. Data collection consisted of 21 in-depth semi-structured interviews. The interviews were analyzed following grounded theory methodology.;Guiding research questions included: How do female incest survivors perceive the impacts of their childhood sexual abuse experiences on their current interpersonal relationships? How do female incest survivors view themselves? How do female incest survivors view others? How do the incest survivors' views of themselves and other(s) impact their perception of how they typically interact with others?;The women reported difficulty trusting others, difficulty with intimate relationships with others, domestic violence, concern for their children's safety and a strong need for, or an avoidance of control in relationships. The study explored the women's national schemas by inquiring how the women viewed themselves, viewed significant others in their lives, and how their views of themselves and others impacted how they perceived they typically interacted with others. Five key self schemas which emerged included self as worthless, self as abandoned, self as powerless, self as valued, and self as powerful.;The findings from this study suggested that self as worthless was a key relational schema for incest survivors which impacted most of their interpersonal relationships. Therapy that explores and alters these schemas could address one of the key effects of childhood sexual abuse in clinical populations. This intervention may also promote the overall development of healthier relationships. In addition, early therapeutic interventions following childhood sexual abuse which addressed betrayal and powerless schemas might prevent the development of life long patterns of victimization and transient relationships.