Childhood abuse and adulthood well-being
Abstract
The purpose of this dissertation was to investigate the repercussions of childhood physical abuse on adulthood well-being. Prior research on the effects of childhood physical abuse on adulthood well-being has found that abuse fosters worse levels of well-being, compared to individuals who had not been abused. Some of this research also finds that there are certain factors that may have the potential to exacerbate or buffer the effects of the early abuse on later outcomes. The studies in this dissertation used data from the Midlife in the United States (MIDUS) survey and the National Study of Daily Experiences (NSDE) to understand more about the exacerbating and protective factors of the effects of childhood physical abuse that are potentially present in adulthood. Study 1 considered whether social and psychological resources explain variability in well-being for adults who experienced childhood physical abuse by their parents. Participants included 2,711 adults aged 25 to 74 from the MIDUS study. Moderation models revealed that high levels of emotional support and personal control were associated with better physical and psychological functioning among adults who were physically abused as children. Study 2 considered whether daily stressors exacerbate daily physical and psychological reactivity to childhood physical abuse. Participants included 931 adults aged 25 to 74 who participated in the NSDE. Moderation models revealed that on days of heightened daily stressors, victims of childhood physical abuse reported more physical symptoms than individuals who were not abused. On days of low daily stressors, individuals who experienced childhood abuse reported fewer physical symptoms. Post hoc tests revealed that work/home daily stressors were particularly important for psychological health. Findings suggest that the experience of childhood physical abuse may impede important processes that are integral in negotiating daily stressors. The results of both studies are discussed in terms of cumulative disadvantage and resilience to the abuse and also the role of risky families in the stress process.
Degree
Ph.D.
Advisors
Fingerman, Purdue University.
Subject Area
Developmental psychology
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