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Adverse Childhood Experiences and Couple Relationships: Impacts on Relationship Quality and Partner Selection

Redd, Michael John
http://orcid.org/0000-0002-6784-3155
http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=akron1510336296933526

Abstract Details

2017, Doctor of Philosophy, University of Akron, Marriage and Family Counseling/Therapy.
The purpose of the present study was to replicate the Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACE) study framework, using relationship outcomes, and studied within the context of couple relationships. A thorough review of the literature on trauma, its prevalence, prior studies on ACEs, trauma and couples, and partner selection is presented. A secondary data analysis of 146 couples from a clinical source was used to test the present study’s hypotheses. Actor-Partner Interdependence Model (APIM) was used to test the hypothesis that an individual’s ACE exposure history would be negatively related to both their own and their partner’s reported relationship quality. A cluster analysis was used to test the hypothesis that couples could be statistically grouped by ACE score combinations, and an ANOVA was used to test average group differences on relationship quality. Regression analyses were used to test hypotheses about partner selection. Results from the analysis include: (1) a small but significant negative impact of an individual’s ACEs on their own reported relationship quality, but no finding of a significant impact on their partner’s reported relationship quality; (2) a small but significant relationship between partner ACE scores; (3) a preliminary ability to group couples by ACE score combinations into three clusters (Low-Low, High-Moderate, Moderate-High) and a small but significant difference between two of the clusters; (4) an increased likelihood that couples will be partnered with those who have more similar than different ACE scores, and a significant trend that as ACEs increase, the likelihood of being partnered with someone who has similar ACEs will decrease; (5) a small but significant dose-response relationship between increasing ACEs and the likelihood of being partnered with someone who has more than minimal ACEs. Further discussion of the results, implications, limitations of the study, and future research directions are also included.
Karin Jordan, Dr. (Committee Chair)
Wondimu Ahmed, Dr. (Committee Member)
Rikki Patton, Dr. (Committee Member)
Rebecca Boyle, Dr. (Committee Member)
David Tefteller, Dr. (Committee Member)
162 p.
Behavioral Sciences; Developmental Psychology; Families and Family Life; Individual and Family Studies; Mental Health
ACE; ACEs; Adverse Childhood Experiences; ACE Study; RDAS; Trauma; Traumatic Events; Couples; Couples and Trauma; PTSD; Parter Selection; MFT; Relationships; Relationship Quality; Childhood Trauma; Childhood Maltreatment; Childhood Abuse; Dyadic; APIM

Recommended Citations

Citations

  • Redd, M. J. (2017). Adverse Childhood Experiences and Couple Relationships: Impacts on Relationship Quality and Partner Selection [Doctoral dissertation, University of Akron]. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=akron1510336296933526

    APA Style (7th edition)

  • Redd, Michael. Adverse Childhood Experiences and Couple Relationships: Impacts on Relationship Quality and Partner Selection. 2017. University of Akron, Doctoral dissertation. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center, http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=akron1510336296933526.

    MLA Style (8th edition)

  • Redd, Michael. "Adverse Childhood Experiences and Couple Relationships: Impacts on Relationship Quality and Partner Selection." Doctoral dissertation, University of Akron, 2017. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=akron1510336296933526

    Chicago Manual of Style (17th edition)

akron1510336296933526
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© 2017, all rights reserved.
This open access ETD is published by University of Akron and OhioLINK.