The Effects of Childhood Abuse and Religious Factors on Adult Interpersonal Relationships

• In Event: 606 - Section on Social Psychology Roundtable Session (co-sponsored with Section on Sociology of Emotions)
  In Refereed Roundtable: Table 08. Well-Being

Abstract

Using data from the 2004-2006 MIDUS - National Survey of Midlife Development (n = 7,108), this study explores the effects of childhood verbal and physical abuse on favorable adult interpersonal relationships (FAIR), while highlighting the direct effects of religious factors. Results of OLS regression models suggest that (1) physical and emotional abuse are negatively associated with favorable adult interpersonal relationships, (2) increased religiosity is positively associated with FAIR, (3) a close relationship with God is positively associated with FAIR, and lastly, (4) increased valuation of religious homophily is negatively associated with FAIR. Implications of these findings are discussed along with study limitations and promising directions for future research.

Author

• Andrea Liza Ruiz, Pennsylvania State University