Self-Verification as a Potential Explanatory Mechanism Between Childhood Emotional Abuse and Interpersonal Violence in Young Adult Romantic Relationships

Abstract

There is growing recognition that childhood emotional abuse (CEA) may cause long-lasting effects throughout the life course, disrupting the development of healthy forms of identity and increasing risk of intimate partner violence (IPV). However, few studies have tested or theorized on the CEA-IPV relationship due to data limitations and conceptual ambiguity. Using data from the Kaplan Longitudinal & Multigenerational Survey (KLAMS), I developed a robust measure of CEA, encompassing multiple dimensions of emotionally abusive behavior. I conducted binomial logistic regression to test the relationship between CEA and relationship violence in young adulthood. Mediational analysis with structural equation modeling (SEM) then tested whether CEA survivors might remain in abusive romantic relationships as a way to verify feelings of self-derogation (low self-worth).

Regression results showed that CEA significantly predicted future emotional victimization in future romantic relationships for both males and females. However, self-derogating attitudes did not mediate this relationship, suggesting that other theoretical mechanisms may be in play. The results of this study serve as impetus for more work on emotional abuse as a distinct form of trauma, including its potential effect on identity formation. In addition, it provides significant evidence to suggest that the cycle of victimization is as worthy of attention as cycles of violence. Finally, it provides a roadmap for future work in this area, including intersectional and parent-specific approaches.