Disturbed Self Concept Mediates the Relationship between Childhood Maltreatment and Adult Personality Pathology

Despite a robust literature documenting the relationship between childhood maltreatment and personality pathology in adulthood, there is far less clarity about the mechanism underlying this relationship. One promising candidate for such a linking mechanism is disturbance in the sense of self. This paper tests the hypothesis that disturbances in the sense of self mediate the relationship between childhood maltreatment and adult personality pathology. Specifically, we assess the self-related traits of stable self-image, self-reflective functioning, self-respect and feeling recognized.

Source: Comprehensive Psychiatry - April 29, 2016 Category: Psychiatry Authors: Lisa Cohen, Olga Leibu, Thachell Tanis, Firouz Ardalan, Igor Galynker Source Type: research