NCJ Number
221688
Journal
Journal of Emotinal Abuse Volume: 7 Issue: 2 Dated: 2007 Pages: 75-92
Date Published
2007
Length
18 pages
Annotation
The aim of this study was to examine the relationship between childhood psychological abuse (PA) and adult interpersonal functioning.
Abstract
Earlier findings are supported suggesting that psychological abuse (PA) during childhood has a significant impact on adult interpersonal functioning. Higher levels of conflict were associated with higher levels of PA, as well as lower levels of parental warmth and higher levels of parental control. The findings suggest that conflict occurred across several contexts, including romantic relationships, friendships, and work or school-related relationships. The association between mistrust/abuse schemas and interpersonal conflict was partially mediated by three patterns of interpersonal behavior: overly accommodating behavior, social isolation, and domineering/controlling behavior. Of the three patterns, domineering/controlling behavior explained the most variance in adult conflict. Few studies are available which examine the long-term impact of child PA, and even fewer focus on interpersonal functioning. Schema theory offers one framework to examine interpersonal effects and may be a particularly useful framework to understand the complex and diverse outcomes associated with child PA. The impact of childhood psychological abuse on adult interpersonal conflict was examined among 382 college women. Tables, figure, references