From childhood trauma to intimate harm: the role of maladaptive schemas in re-experiencing abusive relationships

Abstract

Background

The tendency to re-experience abusive relationships (TREAR) is a maladaptive relational pattern linked to early adverse experiences and ingrained cognitive-emotional schemas. While prior studies have examined these constructions separately, the combined contribution of adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) and early maladaptive schemas (EMS) to TREAR remains underexplored, especially in non-Western populations. The aim of this study was to determine the relationship of the tendency to re-experience abusive relationships with adverse childhood experiences and early maladaptive schemas in Iranians.

Methods

The research design was cross-sectional, descriptive, and correlational. The statistical population consisted of individuals over 18 years old residing in Gilan province, Iran. Data were gathered in 2024 using an internet-based convenience sampling method. An online survey was conducted to collect data and included the following instruments: Demographic Characteristics Questions, the Adverse Childhood Experiences–Abuse Short Form (ACE-ASF), the Early Maladaptive Schemas Questionnaire (YSQ-S3), and the Tendency to Re-experience Abusive Relationships Scale (TREARS). A total of 894 individuals received the survey, but only 272 participated in the research. Of the participants, 72.1% were female, 28.3% were married.

Results

A large number of participants (81%) reported abuse in childhood, and more than half (56.3%) had high TREAR scores. People with a history of physical, emotional, or sexual abuse were more likely to show signs of TREAR. We found strong links between TREAR and EMS (r = 0.705, p < 0.001), across all 18 schema domains. While demographic factors alone explained just 11% of TREAR, including ACE scores raised this to 18.3%. However, once EMS scores were added, the model explained 55.1% of TREAR, demonstrating that EMS plays a large role in perpetuating this cycle.

Conclusion

The result indicated that early maladaptive schemas play a key role in the relationship between adverse childhood experiences and adult revictimization tendencies. These results showed the necessity of combining schema-targeted and trauma-sensitive therapies to stop re-experiencing abusive relationships and help people build safer and healthier relationships.