Consequences of Childhood Sexual Abuse on Quality of Marital Relationship in Men and Women: A Qualitative Study

Child sexual abuse can affect many areas of the life of adults with this experience, such as their marital relationship. Therefore, the present study aimed to investigate the lived experience of the consequences of childhood sexual abuse on the quality of marital relationship in men and women using a qualitative phenomenological approach. In the present study, 16 participants (11 females and 5 males) were selected by purposive sampling. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews and this process continued until data saturation. Data analysis was performed using Colaizzi’s method. The results of data analysis revealed four main categories including consequences in emotional relationship, dysfunctional coping behaviors, consequences in sexual relationship, and psychological consequences. This study elaborated the experience of child sexual abuse in the context of marital life as well as its consequences for marital life. The results showed this phenomenon affected the emotional and sexual relationship of the participants and also led to psychological problems and dysfunctional coping behaviors among them.  Based on the findings of this study, it can be concluded that the experience of sexual abuse in childhood can have long-term effects on the lives of the affected people and influence their quality of marital life.