Beyond child maltreatment: The incremental value of household dysfunction in the prediction of negative beliefs and internalizing symptoms in women

Abstract

Child maltreatment is associated with negative mental health outcomes including depression, posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and anxiety. Maltreatment experiences can result in negative beliefs about safety and wellbeing, which may maintain negative mental health symptoms. Household dysfunction (eg, impaired caregiver) is considered less severe than maltreatment but more problematic than well-functioning family environments. Objective: This study investigates the incremental value household dysfunction contributes, above effects of maltreatment, to the prediction of internalizing symptoms (PTSD, depression, anxiety), and the extent to which negative beliefs might maintain these symptoms. Participants/methods: Female college students (N = 252; Mage = 19.2) electronically reported childhood exposure to maltreatment and household dysfunction, current maladaptive beliefs and internalizing symptoms. Results: Structural equation modeling showed household dysfunction significantly predicted internalizing symptoms after controlling for maltreatment experiences; this association was mediated through negative beliefs. Conclusions: Results suggest the additional importance of considering elements of household dysfunction when exploring traumatic histories.