Exploring the moderated mediation of self-differentiation in the relationship between childhood trauma and partner abuse

Abstract

Objectives: This study examines the role of self-differentiation as a potential protective factor that may buffer individuals from the detrimental impact of childhood trauma on the health of relationships. Methods : This study tests the mediating process of submissive behavior in the relationship between exposure to childhood trauma and the experience of partner abuse, while determining whether self-differentiation moderates the indirect path. Results : Data were collected from 239 (Male=82, Female=157) individuals in romantic relationships. The moderated mediation model was tested using Hayes' PROCESS macro (Model 14). Study findings indicated that childhood trauma was associated with both submissive behavior (β = 0.25, p =.02) and experience of partner abuse (β = 0.04, p