Does child maltreatment mediate family environment and psychological well-being?

Abstract

This study tried to establish if childhood maltreatment mediates the established relationship between family environment and psychological well-being, in a sample of Maltese university students (N = 312). However, our analysis suggested partial mediation only. Moreover, results indicated that abusive families are less loving, socially integrated, organized, and more conflicted. Family environment contributed positively, albeit limited, to cognitive well-being after controlling for child abuse history. In particular, cohesion, do add unique variance to subjective well-being, after controlling for child abuse. This study replicates classic research on the important role that family environment plays in children’s holistic development.