Citation

Babad S, Zwilling A, Carson KW, Fairchild V, Nikulina V. J. Interpers. Violence 2020; ePub(ePub): ePub.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2020, SAGE Publishing)

DOI

10.1177/0886260520948147

PMID

32854580

Abstract

Adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) can negatively affect social-emotional functioning. The association between individual and cumulative ACEs and social-emotional domains of self-esteem, loneliness, and negotiation in intimate partner relationships has not been explored in low-risk emerging adults, a gap this study aims to fill. An online survey was administered to undergraduate emerging adults, ages 18 to 25 years (Mage = 19.73, SD = 1.83; N = 436; 20.60% Hispanic; 63.80% female). The ACEs Survey, Child Abuse Potential Inventory, and Conflict Tactics Scale-2nd Edition were used. Three multivariate ordinary least squares regressions were run, each including predictors significant in bivariate analyses and outcomes of self-esteem, loneliness, and negotiation for each regression. Emotional abuse, B = -.20, p <.01; emotional neglect, B = -.21, p <.001; and substance using family member, B = -.12, p <.05, were negatively associated with self-esteem; emotional neglect, B =.11, p <.01, and cumulative ACEs, B =.16, p <.01, were positively associated with loneliness; and incarcerated family member was positively associated with negotiation, B =.12, p <.05. Overall, these findings suggest that individual ACEs associated with environmental instability (e.g., emotional abuse) are strong predictors of social-emotional outcomes, relative to ACEs associated with more direct physical harm (e.g., sexual abuse).

Language: en

Keywords

adverse childhood experiences; interpersonal relationships; intimate relationships