Influence of childhood trauma on the expression and regulation of emotions and couple satisfaction (romantic relationships) among young adults and adults

This research investigates the impact of childhood trauma, particularly Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs), on emotional regulation and relationship satisfaction in both young adults and adults. The study also analyzes gender disparities in ACE exposure and its effects on emotional expression and regulation, emphasizing how these elements influence relationship satisfaction. Data from 200 participants, comprising 50 young adult males, 50 young adult females, 50 adult males, and 50 adult females, were examined. The research results suggest that adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) do not have a direct impact on the satisfaction levels of couples. Nevertheless, they exert an indirect influence, as ACEs affect emotional regulation and expression, which subsequently influences the degree of satisfaction experienced by couples. The findings also indicate that young adult males reported higher instances of emotional and physical abuse, along with household dysfunction, in comparison to adult males, while young adult females faced greater occurrences of sexual abuse and emotional neglect. Emotional regulation, assessed using the Emotion Regulation Questionnaire (ERQ), was significantly more developed in adults, indicating that emotional maturity tends to increase with age. A weak negative correlation was found between ACEs and emotional regulation, with no significant direct impact on couple satisfaction. Conversely, emotional regulation was positively associated with relationship satisfaction, as higher ERQ scores correlated with more effective coping mechanisms and better relationship outcomes. Statistical evaluations demonstrated a notable difference in emotional regulation between young adults and adults, although no significant difference in couple satisfaction was identified between these groups. The results highlight the critical role of emotional regulation in alleviating the effects of childhood trauma on romantic relationships and suggest that interventions aimed at enhancing emotional regulation skills could improve couple satisfaction, particularly for those with a history of trauma while also recognizing limitations such as sampling issues, self-report bias, and the cross-sectional nature of the design.