We Shall Overcome: The Association Between Family of Origin Adversity, Coming to Terms, and Relationship Quality in African Americans

Abstract

Because adverse childhood and family of origin experiences may have implications for adult relationships, it is important to understand what can help buffer potential negative effects. The current study was designed to understand the relationship between childhood family of origin adversities, coming to terms with family of origin issues and events, and adult romantic relationship quality for African Americans (N = 1613). A path analysis was conducted using data from the RELATE assessment (see www.relate-institute.org). Results indicated that, taken together, coming to terms, self-esteem, and depression likely partially mediated the relationship between family of origin adversity and adult relationship quality. Results also suggested that if African Americans were able to come to terms, they reported less depression and higher levels of self-esteem. Clinicians may find it useful to focus on assisting African American individuals in coming to terms with childhood family of origin adversity as part of treatment for depression, self-esteem issues, and adult romantic relationship problems. Additional clinical implications and directions for future research are discussed.

Family Adversity and Relationship Quality for Pacific Islanders and the Mediating Role of Coming to Terms, Self‐Esteem, and Depression

“…In this same study, Martinson et al (2010) also found that individuals who have CTT with FOO adversities experience higher levels of affect regulation compared to those who have not with the greatest effect sizes (>.80) seen in managing depression, neuroticism, and emotional flooding during conflict. Researchers have also begun to document the positive effects CTT has on relational outcomes as well as on depressive symptoms and self‐esteem (Chen & Busby, 2018; Henderson, 2016), and have more recently replicated these results with indigenous populations and other minority populations (Dagley et al, 2012; Marshall, Banford Witting, Sandberg, & Bean, 2020). Such findings are important because they highlight a consistent trend that suggests that CTT plays an important indirect role in improving romantic relationships, through behavioral and health outcomes achieved when people experience a measure of healing from negative experiences in their past.…”

“…Extant literature suggests that Pacific Islanders are at a higher risk of experiencing childhood adversities in their FOO when compared to the general population (Else et al, 2007; Flett et al, 2004; Ioane et al, 2016). Research also suggests that FOO adversity can negatively influence the romantic relationship quality individuals experience as adults through myriad processes including lowered self‐esteem, increased depressive symptoms, or difficulty CTT (Marshall et al, 2020; Martinson et al, 2010). CTT has been shown to have an indirect effect on the relationship between FOO adversity and romantic relationship quality and buffer the negative effects FOO experiences have on individuals’ mental health and self‐worth (Dagley et al, 2012; Marshall et al, 2020; Martinson et al, 2010).…”

“…Research also suggests that FOO adversity can negatively influence the romantic relationship quality individuals experience as adults through myriad processes including lowered self‐esteem, increased depressive symptoms, or difficulty CTT (Marshall et al, 2020; Martinson et al, 2010). CTT has been shown to have an indirect effect on the relationship between FOO adversity and romantic relationship quality and buffer the negative effects FOO experiences have on individuals’ mental health and self‐worth (Dagley et al, 2012; Marshall et al, 2020; Martinson et al, 2010). As a loose replication of previous analyses examining the positive relational and mental health impacts of CTT with FOO adversities (Dagley et al, 2012; Marshall et al, 2020), the present study seeks to investigate the role CTT may have in how Pacific Islanders’ FOO adversity associates with CTT, self‐esteem, depressive symptoms, and ultimately relationship quality.…”

“…CTT has been shown to have an indirect effect on the relationship between FOO adversity and romantic relationship quality and buffer the negative effects FOO experiences have on individuals’ mental health and self‐worth (Dagley et al, 2012; Marshall et al, 2020; Martinson et al, 2010). As a loose replication of previous analyses examining the positive relational and mental health impacts of CTT with FOO adversities (Dagley et al, 2012; Marshall et al, 2020), the present study seeks to investigate the role CTT may have in how Pacific Islanders’ FOO adversity associates with CTT, self‐esteem, depressive symptoms, and ultimately relationship quality. Thus, the purpose of this study is to (1) investigate the association between Pacific Islanders FOO adversity and relationship quality and (2) examine the potential intermediary role of CTT, depression, and self‐esteem between FOO adversity and romantic relationship quality of Pacific Islanders.…”

The Residuum of Childhood Physical and Sexual Abuse: Coming to Terms in Couple Relationships

“…Abuse and maltreatment in childhood have been categorized to reflect varying forms including physical abuse, sexual abuse, emotional or psychological abuse, and neglect (Norman et al, 2012). In some studies, family of origin adversity (including environments predictive of childhood maltreatment) has been associated with lower levels of a sense of resolution or “coming to terms” with events in one’s family of origin (Dagley et al, 2012; Marshall et al, 2020). Abuse may ultimately have lingering effects associating negatively with one’s sense of resolution, in adulthood, with the family of origin experience.…”