The role of romantic relationship quality in adulthood: Moderating effects on the long-term impact of childhood abuse and neglect on somatic and mental complaints

BACKGROUND: Childhood maltreatment is a risk factor for detrimental health outcomes in adulthood. However, less is known about whether the quality of adult romantic relationships may buffer or exacerbate these long-term associations. OBJECTIVE: To examine whether qualitative aspects of current romantic relationships moderate the associations between childhood abuse and neglect and adult somatic/mental complaints. PARTICIPANTS AND SETTING: The Quality of Relationship Inventory (QRI), Childhood Trauma Questionnaire (CTQ) and the Von Zerssen complaints list were answered by a large, population-representative sample (N = 1494, 50.8% women). Participants' age ranged from 18 to 89 years (M = 52, SD = 15.27). METHODS: Analyses were conducted via correlations and multiple linear regression models, including potential confounders (gender, age, relationship duration). RESULTS: Abuse and neglect were associated with more complaints in adulthood. Greater relationship support attenuated these associations. Greater relational depth was associated with a stronger positive association between childhood maltreatment and adult complaints. Relationship conflict did not moderate the associations between childhood maltreatment and adult complaints. CONCLUSIONS: Relationship quality is a meaningful context in which the long-term correlates of childhood maltreatment unfold. Supportive versus potentially dysregulating forms of closeness should be distinguished in subsequent longitudinal research, prevention efforts, and clinical approaches/counseling.