Childhood maltreatment and perceived partner responsiveness: A dyadic analysis of posttraumatic symptoms as a mediator.

Abstract

Objective: Childhood maltreatment (CM) is a critical risk factor for a wide range of long-term adverse outcomes, including marital distress; however, research on its dyadic effects on the marital system and the mechanisms underlying these effects remains limited. This study examined the dyadic associations between CM and perceived partner responsiveness (PPR), and the mediating role of posttraumatic stress symptoms (PTSS).

Method: A convenience sample of 277 mixed-sex, married couples completed self-report questionnaires. Analyses were conducted using the actor-partner interdependence model, which accounts for the dyadic effects between partners.

Results: We found significant associations between CM and lower PPR, mediated by PTSS in both men and women. In women, PTSS fully mediated the link between CM and PPR, while in men, PTSS only partially mediated this relationship. Furthermore, a unique pathway was found where women's CM experiences were indirectly associated with lower PPR in their male partners through women's PTSS, indicating cross-generation and cross-partner associations of CM.

Conclusion: The study highlights PTSS as a pathway through which CM is associated with PPR, potentially straining emotional connection within intimate relationships. These findings suggest that trauma-informed couples therapy could be beneficial when a partner is exposed to CM. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2025 APA, all rights reserved).