Adverse Childhood Experiences,Psychosocial Problems,and Relationship Quality in Romantic Couples: Relationship Maintenance Skills as an Interpersonal Resource

Abstract

Adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) have long-term negative effects, including on relationship outcomes, well into adulthood. In line with the Couple Adaptation to Traumatic Stress Model and the theory of resilience and relational load, routine relationship maintenance skills were identified as an interpersonal resource mediating the association between psychosocial problems and couple relationship quality. Data from 212 opposite sex romantic couples revealed that ACEs were indirectly associated with relationship quality. At the intrapersonal level, both partners’ ACE scores were associated with their own psychosocial problems, which in turn were associated with lower relationship maintenance skills and poorer relationship quality. At the interpersonal level, only women’s ACE scores were associated with their partners’ relationship quality through women’s increased psychosocial problems and reduced relationship maintenance skills. This study highlights the theoretical and practical benefits of incorporating a diverse set of perspectives in understanding the long-term implications of childhood adversity on relational communication and outcomes.