Social support and coping strategies as mediators of adult adjustment following childhood maltreatment

Child Abuse Negl. 1997 Feb;21(2):211-26. doi: 10.1016/s0145-2134(96)00147-0.

Abstract

Structural equation modelling (SEM) was used to examine whether coping efforts and social support mediate the long-term sequelae of child maltreatment. The hypothesized SEM fit the data well and indicated that the association between previous childhood sexual and physical maltreatment and current psychological adjustment appeared to be strongly mediated by social support and coping strategies. In this sample of 302 female and male university students, most of whom reported at least one episode of childhood maltreatment, perceived social support and ways of coping with earlier maltreatment appeared essential to an understanding of the relationship between childhood maltreatment and later adjustment.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adaptation, Psychological*
  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Child
  • Child Abuse / psychology*
  • Child Abuse / statistics & numerical data
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Models, Psychological
  • Parent-Child Relations
  • Psychological Tests
  • Social Support*