Mindfulness and posttraumatic growth in childhood sexual abuse and psychological maltreatment survivors.

This article examines the impacts of childhood sexual abuse (CSA) and psychological maltreatment on adult survivors' mindfulness, sexuality, and intimate relationships through qualitative analysis of interviews with 19 individuals who experienced both forms of maltreatment. Findings reveal that survivors often grew up in unsafe family environments marked by emotional neglect and abuse, which impaired their mindfulness capacities—manifesting as trauma reliving, avoidance, and dissociation—and contributed to relational difficulties such as instability, codependence, emotional distance, and self-silencing. Despite these challenges, some survivors demonstrated posttraumatic growth (PTG), characterized by increased awareness, acceptance, and meaning-making, often facilitated by supportive and respectful intimate partners. The study highlights the interplay between mindfulness and PTG in survivors' healing processes and suggests that fostering mindfulness dispositions within secure relationships may enhance recovery and relational well-being.