Citation

Higgins DJ, McCabe MP, Ricciardelli LA. J. Aggression Maltreat. Trauma 2003; 6(2): 61-86.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2003, Informa - Taylor and Francis Group)

DOI

10.1300/J146v06n02_04

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

Two alternate processes that may explain the relationship between child maltreatment, childhood family characteristics and adult adjustment (mediation and moderation) were tested using retrospective data from a community sample (N = 175). The levels of five different types of child maltreatment did not mediate the relationship between childhood family variables and adult adjustment. In contrast, family background played a mediating role in the relationship between maltreatment and adjustment. Evidence of moderation was found in the interactions between different maltreatment types in predicting adjustment. Partial support was found for the moderating influence of family factors on the relationship of maltreatment to adjustment.