Childhood emotional maltreatment and romantic relationship satisfaction: the mediating role of early maladaptive schemas.

Objective: Survivors of childhood emotional maltreatment (CEM) often report lower levels of romantic relationship satisfaction in later life, yet the mechanisms through which this occurs are unclear. Theoretical and empirical evidence suggests a potential pathway underlying this association is early maladaptive schemas (EMS), however, research is limited. The present study sought out to clarify the association between CEM and current romantic relationship satisfaction, and whether EMS mediate this relationship. Method: The final sample consisted of 230 undergraduate psychology students. An anonymous online survey was administered assessing childhood maltreatment, EMS and current romantic relationship satisfaction. Data pertaining to possible covariates were also collected. Results: CEM was found to be negatively correlated with relationship satisfaction. The results of path analysis additionally revealed emotional deprivation as the only early maladaptive schema to mediate this relationship. Conclusions: These findings contribute to the understanding of how CEM may be related to relationship satisfaction, via EMS. In particular, they suggest experiences of CEM may strengthen the belief that others will not meet one's emotional needs, which in turn, may be associated with reduced levels of romantic relationship satisfaction. Implications for clinical interventions to support adult survivors of CEM are discussed. KEY POINTS: What is already known about this topic: Childhood emotional maltreatment (CEM) is associated with lower romantic relationship satisfaction. The mechanisms underscoring the relationship between CEM and current relationship satisfaction are unclear. Early maladaptive schemas may influence the way in which survivors of CEM experience later romantic attachments. What this topic adds: While experiences of CEM were found to be associated with lower levels of current romantic relationship satisfaction, this relationship appears to be indirect. Emotion deprivation was the only early maladaptive schema found to mediate the relationship between CEM and current romantic relationship satisfaction. Addressing emotion deprivation schemas in clinical interventions for survivors of CEM may have implications for the cultivation of satisfying romantic relationships later in life. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]