Interpersonal complementarity and appeasement in relationships with initiators of childhood psychosocial trauma.

Childhood psychosocial trauma (sexual, physical, and emotional abuse) influences perceptions and expectations about interpersonal relations. This study tests the hypothesis that these influences can be assessed through measurement of interpersonal complementarity. Self-reports of perceptions of relationships with childhood abuse initiators are examined for a clinical sample of 20 dissociative disorder patients (aged 19–52 yrs) using Structural Analysis of Social Behavior. Patient ratings of their relationships with abuse initiators showed marked deviations from complementarity. Substantial appeasement of the abuser was also indicated in the ratings. Implications for psychotherapy of abuse victims are discussed. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)