Exploring the Mediating Role of Rumination in the Relationship between Childhood Emotional Neglect and Intimate Partner Violence

Introduction: Intimate Partner Violence (IPV) is a serious ongoing public health issue that continues to raise concern for well-being and safety within the community. Previous research identified Childhood Maltreatment (CM) as an important potential risk factor for developing IPV in adulthood. The relationship between IPV and different types of CM has been carefully studied and established, but a few studies show that emotion regulation might be another mechanism underlying the relationship between CM and IPV. Therefore, this study aims to investigate the relationship between CEN and IPV, specifically examining a possible mediating role of rumination in this relationship. Methods: An online survey that included self-report questionnaires to assess childhood emotional neglect, rumination, and intimate partner violence among a sample from the general population (N = 268) was used. The data analysis involved regression path analysis modeling, using the PROCESS macro for SPSS. The study...Show moreIntroduction: Intimate Partner Violence (IPV) is a serious ongoing public health issue that continues to raise concern for well-being and safety within the community. Previous research identified Childhood Maltreatment (CM) as an important potential risk factor for developing IPV in adulthood. The relationship between IPV and different types of CM has been carefully studied and established, but a few studies show that emotion regulation might be another mechanism underlying the relationship between CM and IPV. Therefore, this study aims to investigate the relationship between CEN and IPV, specifically examining a possible mediating role of rumination in this relationship. Methods: An online survey that included self-report questionnaires to assess childhood emotional neglect, rumination, and intimate partner violence among a sample from the general population (N = 268) was used. The data analysis involved regression path analysis modeling, using the PROCESS macro for SPSS. The study design was cross-sectional. Results: The mediational hypothesis was not supported: no significant total, indirect or direct effect was found. Only CEN and rumination were positively related to each other. Discussion: Previous research based on a multitude of theoretical models for IPV shows that emotion regulation can play a key role in predicting IPV but would very likely be in combination with other fundamental factors. These contrasting findings call for future studies to attempt to replicate and extend the current results in other, more diverse, samples using prospective longitudinal designs.Show less

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Exploring the Mediating Role of Rumination in the Relationship between Childhood Emotional Neglect and Intimate Partner Violence