Childhood Psychological Maltreatment and Its Relationship with Adult Adjustment

Abstract

This research examined the relationship between childhood psychological maltreatment (CPM) and adult maladjustment. This research also investigated the ability of CPM to predict maladjustment (depression, low self-esteem, and anger) over and above physical abuse and sexual abuse. Participants consisted of 160 (50 men, 109 women, 1 no response) undergraduate college students. The participants completed the Comprehensive Childhood Maltreatment Scale (CCMS), Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale (CES-D Scale), Multidimensional Anger Inventory (MAI), and the Rosenberg Self-Esteem Inventory (RSE). Significant correlations emerged between CPM and symptoms of depression, anger, and self-esteem in adulthood. When controlling for physical abuse alone and physical and sexual abuse together, CPM was significantly correlated to symptoms of depression and anger. When controlling for sexual abuse alone, CPM was significantly correlated to all of the adjustment variables.