Estelle Crause

Incest and Interpersonal Relationships of Young Adult Females Estelle Crause

It is believed that one of the consequences of incest is that it has an effect on the social interaction and interpersonal relationships of incest survivors, which affects effective functioning, coping, and adaptation into adulthood. The research looked at the effects of incestuous relationships on the interpersonal relationships of young adult females with specific reference to the South African context. The research was conducted through the use of in-depth qualitative interviews, and the sample consisted of four females who experienced incestuous abuse as children and received intensive therapy as young adults. The interviews where analysed by three qualified and experienced Clinical Psychologists in accordance with qualitative methodology, after which the findings of the three analyses were compared. The objectives of the study were to determine whether, a) incestuous abuse has an effect on the interpersonal relationships of young adult females; b) incest affects the way in which young adult females experience their interpersonal relationships, and; c) young adult females experience any difficulties in their interpersonal relationships.