The study proposes a unifying theoretical construct for the maladaptive outcomes experienced by abuse survivors. The construct of impaired intimacy captures the wide-ranging problems experienced by abuse survivors in the realms of parent-child relations, friendships, teen pregnancy, and romantic and sexual bonds. Intimacy dysfunction, defined as a generalized expectancy that relationships will not be satisfying, was a frequent outcome of child maltreatment. This lack of faith in others may cause some persons to become overly intrusive in relationships or avoidant; they may engage in externalizing or internalizing behavior. The construct intimacy, i.e., "a close, familiar and affectionate personal relationship," provides a useful umbrella for understanding a variety of negative consequences for survivors of child maltreatment. Note, figures, references