Document Type
Dissertation
Date of Award
2024
Degree Name
Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)
Department
Psychology
First Advisor
Raluca M Simons
Abstract
The current study tested a structural equation model to examine the associations between types of childhood maltreatment (i.e., neglect, punishment, and sexual abuse), Jeffrey Young’s early maladaptive schemas (EMSs), and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptom clusters (i.e., avoidance, hyperarousal, intrusion, and negative alterations in cognitions and mood) in a sample of college students. Childhood maltreatment is a pervasive problem in the United States of America and has several short- and long-term physical and psychological consequences. Of note, victims of childhood maltreatment are at an elevated risk of developing PTSD. Further, childhood maltreatment and PTSD are associated with negative alterations in cognitive and emotional patterns. Early maladaptive schemas are relatively stable, negative cognitive, emotional, and behavioral patterns that emerge from abuse, neglect, or at-risk parenting styles. Individuals with a history of abuse and neglect have elevated levels of early maladaptive schemas across several schema domains. Although relatively sparse, studies have also shown EMSs to predict PTSD status and severity; however, the role of specific schemas in the association between childhood maltreatment types and PTSD symptom clusters requires further investigation. To address this, the current study tested the mediating role of early maladaptive schemas in the association between childhood maltreatment types and PTSD symptom clusters. Results showed significant direct and indirect associations. Neglect was positively and significantly associated with mistrust, insufficient self-control, vulnerability to harm, and self-sacrifice; however, no such associations were found for punishment or sexual abuse. Further, indirect paths were found leading to the PTSD symptom clusters via EMSs. For instance, neglect was associated with hyperarousal via vulnerability to harm and, similarly, with intrusion via vulnerability to harm. Further, neglect exhibited an indirect path to avoidance through the EMS of mistrust. Finally, neglect had an indirect path to negative cognitions and mood through self-sacrifice. There were no significant indirect paths leading from punishment and sexual abuse. Results emphasize the impact of childhood neglect and highlight the mediating role of several early maladaptive schemas in developing specific PTSD symptom clusters.
Subject Categories
Psychology
Keywords
Childhood Maltreatment, Early Maladaptive Schemas, Posttraumatic Stress Disorder, PTSD
Number of Pages
104
Publisher
University of South Dakota
Recommended Citation
Nichole Stamatovich, Sydney, "Childhood Maltreatment and Posttraumatic Stress Symptom Clusters: The Mediating Role of Early Maladaptive Schemas" (2024). Dissertations and Theses. 266.
https://red.library.usd.edu/diss-thesis/266