Mary Yousif

The Long Reach of Childhood Maltreatment: Associations with Adult Propensity to Abuse a Romantic Partner

Author: Mary Yousif (psychology), 2021 Winner ðŸ†

Faculty mentor: Carolyn Dayton

Abstract

Exposure to adversity during childhood is associated with a wide range of negative health and mental health outcomes in adulthood and may influence parenting behaviors in mothers and fathers.

The Baby on Board Study (PI: Dayton) investigated the social and psychological factors that affect parental thoughts, feelings, and actions during the perinatal period (immediately before and after birth) in a sample of parents exposed to high rates of poverty and violence. Drawing from this longitudinal sample, the current study examines the relationships among parental history of child maltreatment, current self-esteem, and the propensity of abusing a romantic partner.

A multivariate regression analysis demonstrated that a history of child maltreatment and low self-esteem in adulthood were associated with increased propensity for abusive behaviors (F(2, 90)=20.6; p=.000).

Results suggest that parental self-esteem may be an important target of change for parents who have been exposed to child maltreatment.

Poster

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