Childhood Experiences and Adult Relationships
Academic Level at Time of Presentation
Senior
Major
Psychology and Sociology
2nd Student Academic Level at Time of Presentation
Senior
2nd Student Major
Psychology
List all Project Mentors & Advisor(s)
Esther Malm, PhD
Presentation Format
Oral Presentation
Abstract/Description
Childhood Experiences and Adult Relationships
Emerging adult relationships can be difficult to navigate especially when factors such as childhood abuse and risky sexual behaviors are involved. Approximately 1 in 4 children experience childhood abuse or neglect in their lifetime. This study aims to find out how abuse during adolescence affects risky sexual behavior and violence in relationships. There are three hypotheses that are being explored in this study a) Emerging adults with a history of physical/emotional abuse will be more likely to engage in risky sexual behavior and experience violence in romantic relationships, b) Adolescents who experienced physical or verbal abuse in childhood will experience higher levels of violence in emerging adult romantic relationships, c) College students with mental illness will have higher levels of risky sexual behaviors and substance use compared to their peers without. The survey is available through the online platform SONA and the findings of this study will be presented at scholars week. A sample of 78 have completed the survey, the sample consists of college students in the Midwestern US. This study is still in progress and data collection is ongoing. As we gain more understanding of this study, it could help researchers analyze how childhood abuse impacts risky sexual behavior and violence in relationships.
Keywords: Childhood Abuse, Risky Sexual Behavior, Violence in Relationships, Mental Illness
Fall Scholars Week 2025
Psychology: Projects In-Progress
Childhood Experiences and Adult Relationships
Childhood Experiences and Adult Relationships
Emerging adult relationships can be difficult to navigate especially when factors such as childhood abuse and risky sexual behaviors are involved. Approximately 1 in 4 children experience childhood abuse or neglect in their lifetime. This study aims to find out how abuse during adolescence affects risky sexual behavior and violence in relationships. There are three hypotheses that are being explored in this study a) Emerging adults with a history of physical/emotional abuse will be more likely to engage in risky sexual behavior and experience violence in romantic relationships, b) Adolescents who experienced physical or verbal abuse in childhood will experience higher levels of violence in emerging adult romantic relationships, c) College students with mental illness will have higher levels of risky sexual behaviors and substance use compared to their peers without. The survey is available through the online platform SONA and the findings of this study will be presented at scholars week. A sample of 78 have completed the survey, the sample consists of college students in the Midwestern US. This study is still in progress and data collection is ongoing. As we gain more understanding of this study, it could help researchers analyze how childhood abuse impacts risky sexual behavior and violence in relationships.
Keywords: Childhood Abuse, Risky Sexual Behavior, Violence in Relationships, Mental Illness