Psychological Science Faculty Publications and Presentations
Document Type
Article
Publication Date
2021
Abstract
The detrimental impact of early trauma, particularly childhood maltreatment, on mental health is well documented. Although it is understood that social support can act as a protective factor towards mental health for children who experience such adversity, few studies have addressed the experience of childhood maltreatment and the important function of social support in adulthood. The current study aimed to assess the mediating role of social support in the relationship between childhood experiences of maltreatment, and mental health outcomes including anxiety, depression, PTSD and problematic alcohol use in a sample of university students (N= 640). Results of binary logistic regression analyses indicated that those reporting experiences of childhood maltreatment were at increased odds of mental health outcomes of PTSD, anxiety and depression, but not alcohol use. Those reporting greater social support were significantly less likely to report on these mental health outcomes. Additionally, the indirect paths from childhood maltreatment through social support to PTSD, depression and anxiety were all significant, suggesting that social support, particularly family support, is a significant mediator of these relationships. Such findings have important implications for the social care response to children experiencing maltreatment and future support for such children as they transition to adolescence and adulthood.
Recommended Citation
Lagdon, S., Ross, J., Robinson, M., Contractor, A. A., Charak, R., & Armour, C. (2021). Assessing the Mediating Role of Social Support in Childhood Maltreatment and Psychopathology Among College Students in Northern Ireland. Journal of Interpersonal Violence, 36(3-4), NP2112–2136NP. https://doi.org/10.1177/0886260518755489
Publication Title
Journal of Interpersonal Violence
DOI
10.1177/0886260518755489
Comments
© The Author(s) 2018