International Journal of Behavioral Sciences

International Journal of Behavioral Sciences

Childhood Emotional Maltreatment and Spousal Violence: Mediating Role of Interpersonal Schemas

Document Type : Original Article

Authors
Banafsheh Aleyaran 1
Fahimeh Dehghani 2
Zahra Naderi 2
1 Department of Psychology, University of Isfahan, Isfahan, Iran
2 Department of Psychology and Educational Sciences, Yazd University, Yazd, Iran
10.30491/ijbs.2025.531216.2250
Abstract
Introduction: Spousal violence is among the main causes of divorce; hence, identifying its predictors is essential. This study examined the relationship between childhood emotional maltreatment and spousal violence, mediated by interpersonal schemas.
Method: In this descriptive-correlational study, the statistical population included all divorce seekers who were referred to the counseling centers under the contract with Isfahan Court of Law Between May and July 2021. For this purpose, 211 individuals who were selected using the convenience sampling method completed the Strauss et al.'s Conflict Tactics Scale (CTS2), Childhood Trauma Questionnaire (CTQ) and Interpersonal Schema (ISQ). Data were analyzed using path analysis by SPSS-22 and AMOS-22 software.
Results: The findings of the path analysis indicated that emotional abuse, through a decrease in the affiliation dimension of the interpersonal schema (mother, father, and spouse forms), increased spousal violence (Indirect effect: 0.11, p< 0.01). Likewise, emotional neglect, through a decrease in the affiliation dimension of the interpersonal schema (mother and father forms), also increased spousal violence (Indirect effect: 0.09, p< 0.01).
Conclusion: Childhood emotional maltreatment increases spousal violence through the formation of interpersonal schemas. The findings highlight the need for preventive and therapeutic interventions that enhance parental emotional responsiveness and reconstruct interpersonal schemas to reduce intergenerational transmission of violence.
Keywords
Childhood Emotional Maltreatment
Divorce Seekers
Interpersonal Schemas
Spousal Violence
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International Journal of Behavioral Sciences
Volume 19, Issue 3
Autumn 2025
Pages 165-172