The Association Between Childhood Maltreatment and Victimisation in Adulthood: The Role of Assertiveness and Motivations for Risky Behaviour

Jans, Susan (2022) The Association Between Childhood Maltreatment and Victimisation in Adulthood: The Role of Assertiveness and Motivations for Risky Behaviour. Master thesis, Psychology.

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Abstract

Previous research has established a significant relation between childhood maltreatment and victimisation in adulthood. However, it is unclear why victims of childhood maltreatment are more likely to experience victimisation in adulthood. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the relation between childhood maltreatment and victimisation in adulthood and to examine the influence of assertiveness on this relation. This study also explored if people who experienced both childhood maltreatment and victimisation in adulthood (revictimisation) were more likely to engage in risky behaviours due to specific motivations. The participants were 125 heterosexual women recruited through convenience sampling. Participants completed surveys on childhood maltreatment, trauma in adulthood, assertiveness, and dating motivations in risky situations. Both the severity and the presence of childhood maltreatment were significantly associated with victimisation in adulthood. There was no significant effect for assertiveness as a mediator between childhood maltreatment and victimisation in adulthood. Exploratory analyses revealed that dating motivations regarding desirability and getting an ego-boost are associated with victimisation status, suggesting that motivations related to self-esteem are associated with victimisation status. In conclusion, the results indicate that childhood maltreatment is a risk factor for victimisation in adulthood. The exact role of assertiveness in the relation between childhood maltreatment and victimisation in adulthood remains unclear. Future research should study risk factors for victimisation, e.g., lack of assertiveness, and consider interventions to prevent victimisation.

Item Type:	Thesis (Master)
Supervisor name:	Fereidooni, F.
Degree programme:	Psychology
Differentiation route:	Clinical Psychology (CP) [Master Psychology]
Date Deposited:	17 Aug 2022 08:58
Last Modified:	17 Aug 2022 08:58
URI:	http://gmwpublic.studenttheses.ub.rug.nl/id/eprint/1293

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