Examining the Role of Impulsivity Facets in the Relationship Between Childhood Emotional Maltreatment and Aggressive Behavior in Adulthood

Abstract

Childhood emotional maltreatment and impulsivity in adulthood have been linked with aggressive behavior in adulthood, holding important implications for aggression prevention and intervention efforts. This study aimed to understand whether different facets of impulsivity moderate the relationship between childhood emotional maltreatment and aggressive behavior in emerging adults. One hundred and eighty-three Australian adults ranging from 18 to 25 years (77% female; Mage = 21.9, SD = 2.3) completed an online survey measuring childhood emotional maltreatment, adult aggressive behavior, and facets of impulsivity. We controlled for the indirect effects of childhood emotional maltreatment for predicting aggressive behavior through facets of impulsivity and allowed childhood emotional maltreatment to moderate each of the facets. As hypothesized, childhood emotional maltreatment positively predicted aggressive behavior in adulthood (OR = 1.66, p =.01). Further, this relationship was moderated by positive urgency (OR = 1.21, p