TY  - JOUR
PY  - 2018//
TI  - Childhood maltreatment and psychological well-being in later life: the mediating effect of contemporary relationships with the abusive parent
JO  - Journals of gerontology. Series B: psychological sciences and social sciences
A1  - Kong, Jooyoung
SP  - e39
EP  - e48
VL  - 73
IS  - 5
N2  - OBJECTIVES: Parental childhood maltreatment has a negative impact on psychological well-being in adulthood. However, little is known about whether and how contemporary relationships with an abusive parent might explain the long-term harmful effects. Thus, this study aims to examine the mediating effect of later-life relationships with an abusive parent on the association between parental childhood maltreatment and psychological well-being. <br><br>METHODS: Using the 2004-2005 Wisconsin Longitudinal Study, this study analyzed a total of 1,696 adults aged 65 years. A series of ordinary least squares regression and mediational analyses were performed. <br><br>RESULTS: Key findings showed that maternal childhood neglect and abuse were associated with decreased emotional closeness with mothers, which was, in turn, associated with diminished psychological well-being. In addition, childhood neglect was associated with less frequent exchanges of social support with mothers, which was, in turn, associated with diminished psychological well-being. <br><br>DISCUSSION: This study suggests that, despite childhood maltreatment, parent-child relationships persist throughout life, and the continuing relationship with an abusive parent may undermine adult victims' psychological well-being. When intervening with mental health issues of adults who have experienced childhood maltreatment, their unresolved issues with the parent should be properly addressed.<p />  <p>Language: en</p>
LA  - en
SN  - 1079-5014
UR  - http://dx.doi.org/10.1093/geronb/gbx039
ID  - ref1
ER  -