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Adult Survivors of Child Abuse: An Application of John Gottman’s Sound Marital House Theory

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Abstract

The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between child abuse and dysfunctional adult relationship patterns. John Gottman’s Sound Marital House Theory describes different dysfunctional adult relationship patterns including Negative Sentiment Override (NSO), Flooding, and the Distance and Isolation Cascade. In the present study, data analysis indicated that child abuse predicts the experiencing of NSO, NSO predicts the experiencing of flooding, and flooding predicts the experiencing of the distance and isolation cascade. Analysis showed that a subscale of child abuse, negative home environment predicts NSO, flooding, and the distance and isolation cascade.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. 17950 Lassen Street, Box 1998, Northridge, CA, 91325, USA

    Stephanie J. Tell

  2. Purdue University Calumet, Porter Hall 214E, Hammond, IN, 46323, USA

    Tom Pavkov

  3. Purdue University Calumet, ECTR 136, Hammond, IN, 46323, USA

    Lorna Hecker

  4. Purdue University Calumet, Gyte Annex 166, Hammond, IN, 46323, USA

    Karen Lee Fontaine

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  1. Stephanie J. Tell
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  2. Tom Pavkov
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  3. Lorna Hecker
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  4. Karen Lee Fontaine
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Correspondence to Stephanie J. Tell.

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Tell, S.J., Pavkov, T., Hecker, L. et al. Adult Survivors of Child Abuse: An Application of John Gottman’s Sound Marital House Theory. Contemp Fam Ther 28, 225–238 (2006). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10591-006-9004-0

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10591-006-9004-0

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