Abstract
Research involving adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) has largely focused on understanding the relationship between ACEs and both mental and physical health behaviors. This study looked at the role of ACEs in romantic relationships in adulthood as previous research has not focused on better understanding what specific dimensions of relationships, such as satisfaction, confidence, intentional deciding, and warning sign recognition, can be impacted when one has experienced ACEs. Attachment theory provided a foundation for exploring how these experiences in childhood can have the potential to impact romantic relationship behaviors and functioning in adulthood. Avoidant attachment was explored as a mediator between ACEs and these relationship dimensions. Data from adult participants in current romantic relationships (n = 105) was analyzed. Multiple regression analyses were used to assess ACE’s association with the relationship dimensions and avoidant attachment. Mediational analyses were then conducted to examine if avoidant attachment mediated the relationship between ACEs and relationship dimensions. The findings showed that increased ACEs significantly negatively predict relationship satisfaction and relationship confidence. ACEs was not found to be correlated with avoidant attachment when relevant factors were controlled for, however, mediation analyses found that there was a partial mediation effect of avoidant attachment between ACEs and relationship satisfaction and full mediation effects for relationship confidence and warning sign recognition. These findings show that the traumas one experience in childhood can significantly impact these important aspects of relationship functioning in adulthood.