Abstract
Objectives. Experiencing childhood trauma can create barriers for developing relationships throughout the life course; however, within the context of already formed relationships, little research has explored whether relationship quality is shaped by experiences of childhood trauma among older adults. Methods. Using data from the Health and Retirement Study (2008–2010), we assess the quality of social relationships across four relationship types: (1) spouse/partner, (2) children, (3) family, and (4) friends. Among partnered respondents, we defined relationship quality as self-assessed closeness ranging from (1) not very close to (4) very close. We elected to examine the number of close relationships and absence of close relationship within each non-spouse relationship type. Childhood trauma was measured using two indicators: (1) parental substance abuse (2) physical abuse by parents. All models controlled for key demographic, social, and health factors. Results. Among partnered respondents, childhood abuse victims had lower proportional odds (OR=0.83, p=0.033) of being close to their partner. Respondents reporting parental substance abuse had fewer close children, family, and friends. Respondents reporting childhood abuse had fewer close family and friends. Childhood abuse victims had 76% increase in the odds OR=1.76, p=0.000) of having no close relationships to any of their adult children and an 89% increase in the odds (OR=1.89, p=0.000) of having no close family. Discussion. Childhood trauma appeared to negatively influence relationship quality as evidenced by fewer close relationships. Childhood abuse was associated with having no close family relationships—suggesting that childhood abuse may shape experiences of social isolation in later life.