Jooyoung Kong1. 1. Center for Healthy Aging, College of Health and Human Development, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA.
Abstract
Objectives: Parental childhood maltreatment has a negative impact on psychological well-being in adulthood. However, little is known about whether and how contemporary relationships with an abusive parent might explain the long-term harmful effects. Thus, this study aims to examine the mediating effect of later-life relationships with an abusive parent on the association between parental childhood maltreatment and psychological well-being. Methods: Using the 2004-2005 Wisconsin Longitudinal Study, this study analyzed a total of 1,696 adults aged 65 years. A series of ordinary least squares regression and mediational analyses were performed. Results: Key findings showed that maternal childhood neglect and abuse were associated with decreased emotional closeness with mothers, which was, in turn, associated with diminished psychological well-being. In addition, childhood neglect was associated with less frequent exchanges of social support with mothers, which was, in turn, associated with diminished psychological well-being. Discussion: This study suggests that, despite childhood maltreatment, parent-child relationships persist throughout life, and the continuing relationship with an abusive parent may undermine adult victims' psychological well-being. When intervening with mental health issues of adults who have experienced childhood maltreatment, their unresolved issues with the parent should be properly addressed.
Objectives: Parental childhood maltreatment has a negative impact on psychological well-being in adulthood. However, little is known about whether and how contemporary relationships with an abusive parent might explain the long-term harmful effects. Thus, this study aims to examine the mediating effect of later-life relationships with an abusive parent on the association between parental childhood maltreatment and psychological well-being. Methods: Using the 2004-2005 Wisconsin Longitudinal Study, this study analyzed a total of 1,696 adults aged 65 years. A series of ordinary least squares regression and mediational analyses were performed. Results: Key findings showed that maternal childhood neglect and abuse were associated with decreased emotional closeness with mothers, which was, in turn, associated with diminished psychological well-being. In addition, childhood neglect was associated with less frequent exchanges of social support with mothers, which was, in turn, associated with diminished psychological well-being. Discussion: This study suggests that, despite childhood maltreatment, parent-child relationships persist throughout life, and the continuing relationship with an abusive parent may undermine adult victims' psychological well-being. When intervening with mental health issues of adults who have experienced childhood maltreatment, their unresolved issues with the parent should be properly addressed.
Authors: D P Bernstein; L Fink; L Handelsman; J Foote; M Lovejoy; K Wenzel; E Sapareto; J Ruggiero Journal: Am J Psychiatry Date: 1994-08 Impact factor: 18.112
Authors: Jennifer E Lansford; Liane Peña Alampay; Suha Al-Hassan; Dario Bacchini; Anna Silvia Bombi; Marc H Bornstein; Lei Chang; Kirby Deater-Deckard; Laura Di Giunta; Kenneth A Dodge; Paul Oburu; Concetta Pastorelli; Desmond K Runyan; Ann T Skinner; Emma Sorbring; Sombat Tapanya; Liliana Maria Uribe Tirado; Arnaldo Zelli Journal: Int J Pediatr Date: 2010-09-23
Authors: Jooyoung Kong; Sara M Moorman; Lynn M Martire; David M Almeida Journal: J Gerontol B Psychol Sci Soc Sci Date: 2019-06-14 Impact factor: 4.077
Authors: Mohamed A Hendaus; Amna M Al-Khuzaei; Osama Samarah; Sara G Hamad; Basma A Selim; Walid El Ansari Journal: J Family Med Prim Care Date: 2020-06-30