The Impact of Childhood Psychological Abuse on Adult Interpersonal Conflict

Abstract

Abstract The impact of childhood psychological abuse on adult interpersonal conflict was examined among 382 college women. Psychological abuse predicted adult interpersonal conflict above and beyond the effects of parenting behavior (i.e., parental warmth and control). The relationship between psychological abuse and conflict was mediated or partially mediated by three early maladaptive schemas: mistrust/abuse, abandonment, and defectiveness/shame. Paternal warmth had a significant, direct relationship with interpersonal conflict. 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. Findings provide support for the long-lasting impact of childhood psychological abuse and suggest that effects of psychological abuse persist via early maladaptive schemas.