Date of Award
January 2016
Document Type
Thesis
Degree Name
Master of Arts (MA)
Department
Psychology
First Advisor
Alan R. King
Abstract
The current study explored the relationships between childhood maltreatment indicators and mental health symptomatology in adulthood. Based on previous research, it was hypothesized that the indirect effects of child abuse on symptom expression as mediated by personality traits would be substantial and possibly larger than the direct effects alone. Additional abuse by trait interactions were examined. Results supported these hypotheses, specifically, the PID-5 trait factors were successful in accounting for a disproportionate amount of the variance in the criterion measures. These traits were substantially stronger than childhood physical abuse and domestic violence exposure. Childhood sexual abuse also outperformed childhood physical abuse and domestic violence exposure, but to a lesser extent than the personality traits. These results add to the literature reviewing the mechanisms through which psychopathology emerges, in an attempt to better predict and intervene following the occurrence of childhood abuse.
Recommended Citation
Veith, Amy Catherine, "Personality Disorder Trait Mediation Of Childhood Abuse Effects On Internalized And Externalized Symptoms Of Distress" (2016). Theses and Dissertations. 1976.
https://commons.und.edu/theses/1976