Senior Honors Projects, 2020-current
Creative Commons License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
Date of Graduation
5-8-2020
Document Type
Thesis
Degree Name
Bachelor of Science (BS)
Department
Department of Psychology
Advisor(s)
David E. Szwedo
Jeffrey S. Dyche
Monica J. Reis-Bergen
Abstract
Adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) are a common topic in research investigating outcomes of abused or traumatized children. Previous literature on ACEs have established that high levels of ACEs are associated with both higher levels of problem behaviors in adulthood and lower quality of support in romantic relationships in adolescence/early adulthood. However, the potential for high levels of romantic support and other healthy relationship qualities to act as a buffer against the negative effects of ACEs on later problem behaviors has yet to be addressed in the literature. Thus, the present study utilizes data from an ongoing longitudinal study on social relationships and related variables to examine the moderating effect of perceived support and observed instrumental and emotional support on later engagement in problem behaviors. The results provided evidence for support to act as a buffer as was hypothesized, but they also demonstrated potential to increase further engagement in problem behaviors.
Recommended Citation
Brannigan, Keiva R., "The effects of childhood trauma on romantic support and adult problem behavior" (2020). Senior Honors Projects, 2020-current. 18.
https://commons.lib.jmu.edu/honors202029/18
Included in
Clinical Psychology Commons, Experimental Analysis of Behavior Commons, Social Psychology Commons
