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Childhood emotional maltreatment causes troubled romantic relationships, studies suggest

Date:
May 3, 2012
Source:
American Associates, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev
Summary:
In two separate studies, researchers examined the stability and satisfaction of intimate relationships among college students with a history of childhood emotional maltreatment. The studies suggest that emotional abuse as a child impacted relationship fulfillment due to self-criticism.
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People who experience Childhood Emotional Maltreatment (CEM) are more likely to have troubled romantic relationships in adult years, according to Ben-Gurion University of the Negev (BGU) researchers.

In two separate studies, doctoral candidate Dana Lassri and Prof. Golan Shahar of BGU's Department of Psychology examined the stability and satisfaction of intimate relationships among college students with a history of CEM. The studies, published in the Journal of Social & Clinical Psychology, suggest that emotional abuse as a child impacted relationship fulfillment due to self-criticism. Participants had an extremely strong tendency to bash themselves, and this interfered with their relationship satisfaction.

The studies also revealed that some participants had symptoms of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (P.T.S.D.) due to the emotional abuse they endured. This could be the result of internalizing behaviors caused by the maltreatment or by a child's inability to properly comprehend their circumstances.

Childhood Maltreatment (CM) includes sexual and physical abuse, emotional maltreatment and neglect, and is a significant contributor to the dramatic increase in referrals to university counseling centers. CM also foments self-criticism causing a deleterious effect on romantic relationships.

"Over time, this tendency might be consolidated, becoming a defining part of a person's personality, and ultimately derailing relationships in general and romantic relationships in particular," explains Ms. Lassri, whose doctoral dissertation, supervised by Prof. Shahar, served as the basis for the study.

Lassri believes that even though these findings were gathered from college-age individuals, the behaviors could potentially worsen throughout adulthood.

The research was supported by The Israel Foundations Trustees (Doctoral Grant No.29).


Story Source:

Materials provided by American Associates, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev. Note: Content may be edited for style and length.


Journal Reference:

  1. Dana Lassri and Golan Shahar. Self-Criticism Mediates the Link between Childhood Emotional Maltreatment and Young Adults' Romantic Relationships. Journal of Social and Clinical Psychology, 2012; Vol. 31, No. 3, pp. 289-311 [abstract]

Cite This Page:

American Associates, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev. "Childhood emotional maltreatment causes troubled romantic relationships, studies suggest." ScienceDaily. ScienceDaily, 3 May 2012. <www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/05/120503104705.htm>.
American Associates, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev. (2012, May 3). Childhood emotional maltreatment causes troubled romantic relationships, studies suggest. ScienceDaily. Retrieved March 29, 2024 from www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/05/120503104705.htm
American Associates, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev. "Childhood emotional maltreatment causes troubled romantic relationships, studies suggest." ScienceDaily. www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/05/120503104705.htm (accessed March 29, 2024).

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