Cracks in the Foundation: Childhood Violence Exposure and Romantic Relationships Among Partnered Older Adults

The consequences of adverse childhood experiences on children, adolescents, and young adults are well documented; however, a gap exists in the literature regarding the relationship between childhood adversity and romantic relationships among older adults. The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between childhood violence exposure and later-life romantic relationships; this included assessing relationship happiness, partner reliance, relational functioning, and communication among partnered older adults. We used cross-sectional data from the National Social Life, Health, and Aging Project Round 3. The sample included 3,121 community-dwelling U.S. adults aged 56 and older. Weighted ordered logistic and logistic regression models were used. Participants with childhood violence exposure had 39% lower odds of higher relationship happiness (odds ratio ( OR ) = 0.61, p < .001) and 34% lower odds of partner reliance ( OR = 0.66, p < .05). They also demonstrated 29% lower odds of relationship functioning ( OR = 0.71, p < .05). Conversely, they had 75% higher odds of talking to their partners about problems ( OR = 1.75, p < .01). These findings are consistent with attachment theory and reiterate the long-term consequences trauma can have on romantic relationships. This highlights the need for trauma-informed relationship counseling among older adults.