Faculty Sponsor: Valerie Nazarro
Live Poster Session: https://wesleyan.zoom.us/j/94569054062
Carolyn Cheng
Carolyn Cheng is a prospective Psychology and Music double major at Wesleyan University. She is an international student from Hong Kong and a member of the class of 2028.
Abstract: Research on sexual assault’s impact on intimate relationships largely focuses on survivors’ sexual functioning (Lipinski & Beck, 2022; Haring & Szymanski, 2025). This study, which compared romantic relationships with survivors of sexual assault and romantic relationships where no individuals experienced sexual assault, investigated the impact of sexual assault on happiness in romantic relationships. Chi-square and logistic regression analyses were conducted using data from the fifth wave of the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent to Adult Health (Add Health). The results revealed a significant negative association between sexual assault and happiness in romantic relationships after controlling for sex. This result may be important in understanding the extent of the psychological impact of sexual assault in relationships, which can inform counseling practices that specifically address the challenges faced by survivors of sexual assault.
QAC201-Poster-Cheng