Self-esteem of young adults experiencing interparental violence and child physical maltreatment: Parental and peer relationships as mediators
Journal
Journal of Interpersonal Violence
Journal Volume
24
Journal Issue
5
Pages
770-794
Date Issued
2009
Author(s)
Abstract
This study examined the joint impact of experiencing both interparental violence and child physical maltreatment on young adults' self-esteem. It also tested the hypothesis of parental and peer relationship qualities as mediators in the relationship between childhood histories of family violence and adult self-esteem. Data were collected from a national probability sample of 1,924 college students in Taiwan. Research results demonstrated that experiencing both interparental violence and physical maltreatment during childhood have long-term and detrimental impact on adult self-esteem. This impact was statistically independent of other potential confounding factors. Moreover, participants experiencing dual violence during childhood reported lower self-esteem than those experiencing only one type of family violence or none at all. Male participants who experienced dual violence reported lower self-esteem than female participants who experienced dual violence. Further analyses revealed that parental and peer relationship qualities mediated the joint impact of interparental violence and physical maltreatment on adult self-esteem. © 2009 Sage Publications.
Subjects
Child physical maltreatment; Interparental violence; Parental relationship; Peer relationship; Self-esteem
Other Subjects
adaptive behavior; adult; article; child abuse; child parent relation; cultural factor; female; human; human relation; male; partner violence; peer group; psychological aspect; risk factor; self concept; sex difference; statistics; student; Taiwan; Adaptation, Psychological; Adult; Adult Survivors of Child Abuse; Cultural Characteristics; Female; Humans; Interpersonal Relations; Male; Parent-Child Relations; Peer Group; Risk Factors; Self Concept; Sex Factors; Spouse Abuse; Students; Taiwan; Young Adult
Type
journal article