How childhood abuse and neglect shape adult relationships
Adult Relationship Sequelae of Child Abuse and Neglect: Multiple Developmental Cascades
['FUNDING_OTHER'] · UNIVERSITY OF ROCHESTER · NIH-11180143
Researchers will follow people with and without childhood abuse or neglect to learn how specific early experiences influence adult romantic and parent–child relationships.
Quick facts
| Phase | ['FUNDING_OTHER'] |
|---|---|
| Study type | Nih_funding |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | UNIVERSITY OF ROCHESTER (nih funded) |
| Locations | 1 site (ROCHESTER, UNITED STATES) |
| Trial ID | NIH-11180143 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this research studies
This project follows people from childhood into adulthood using multiple methods to link specific types of abuse or neglect to later relationship outcomes. It uses prospective data instead of relying only on adults' memories, combines reports from different informants, and examines multiple relationship domains such as intimate partner functioning and parenting. The team will test psychological pathways (for example, emotion regulation, trust, or attachment) that might explain how early harm leads to relationship problems and will look for factors that make outcomes better or worse. The work also aims to include underrepresented groups and to clarify why some survivors face greater barriers to health care and social support.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal participants are people with documented or reported histories of childhood abuse or neglect and matched comparison participants who can provide longitudinal information about relationships into adulthood.
Not a fit: People seeking immediate clinical treatment or those without a history of childhood maltreatment are unlikely to receive direct medical benefit from this observational research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could point to specific targets for supports or therapies to help survivors build healthier adult relationships.
How similar studies have performed: Prior studies have linked childhood abuse and neglect to adult relationship problems but have mostly used retrospective reports, so this prospective, multi-method approach is less common and expected to add new clarity.
Where this research is happening
ROCHESTER, UNITED STATES
- UNIVERSITY OF ROCHESTER — ROCHESTER, UNITED STATES (ACTIVE)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: STURGE-APPLE, MELISSA L — UNIVERSITY OF ROCHESTER
- Study coordinator: STURGE-APPLE, MELISSA L
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.