SEXUAL AND MARITAL SATISFACTION IN OLDER ADULTHOOD: EFFECTS OF CHILDHOOD AND ADULTHOOD VIOLENCE EXPOSURE

Abstract

Abstract Objectives Guided by Finkelhor and Browne’s traumagenic dynamics model, the current study examines: 1) the long-term effects of childhood sexual abuse (CSA) and other adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) on older adults’ sexual and marital satisfaction, 2) the mediating role of intimate partner violence (IPV) victimization in the association between childhood adversities and sexual and marital satisfaction, and 3) whether gender moderates the mediational association. Research Design and Methods Using the Wisconsin Longitudinal Study, we analyzed data from 4,239 older adults between the 2004/2005 (Wave 1, Mean age = 65 years) and 2011 (Wave 2, Mean age = 72 years) data collections. The structural modeling approach was employed where the independent variables were CSA and ACEs, the dependent variables were sexual and marital satisfaction in Wave 2, and the mediators were IPV victimization and sexual and marital satisfaction in Wave 1. Results Both CSA and ACEs were associated with lower levels of sexual satisfaction and marital satisfaction in late adulthood. IPV victimization mediated the association between ACEs and marital satisfaction. The hypothesized moderated mediation by gender was not supported. Discussion and Implications: Using a population-based sample, this is one of the first studies demonstrating that distal life events such as CSA and ACEs can undermine older adults’ sexual and marital health, and revictimization in adulthood may serve as a mechanism for the association. Timely intervention is needed to prevent persistent negative effects of childhood violence.