Childhood Verbal Abuse and its Psychological Effects on Adults

115 Pages·2017·0.64 MB·English

Walden University
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Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies
Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies
Collection
2018
Childhood Verbal Abuse and its Psychological
Effects on Adults
Lani Thomason
Walden University
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Walden University

College of Social and Behavioral Sciences

This is to certify that the doctoral dissertation by

Lani Thomason

has been found to be complete and satisfactory in all respects,
and that any and all revisions required by
the review committee have been made.

Review Committee
Dr. Sandra Rasmussen, Committee Chairperson, Psychology Faculty
Dr. Virginia Salzer, Committee Member, Psychology Faculty
Dr. Gerald Nissley, University Reviewer, Psychology Faculty

Chief Academic Officer
Eric Riedel, Ph.D.

Walden University
2018
Abstract
Childhood Verbal Abuse and its Psychological Effects on Adults
by
Lani Thomason

MA, Walden University, 2007
BS, Williams Baptist College, 2002

Dissertation Submitted in Partial Fulfillment
of the Requirements for the Degree of
Doctor of Philosophy
Psychology

Walden University
May 2018
Abstract
Researchers have documented an increase in child abuse in the past 50 years. Child
abuse is associated with many adult physical, emotional, social, and cognitive
impairments. To date, physical and sexual abuse have received more attention than
verbal abuse. There is a gap in the literature on the effect of verbal abuse on mental
health. The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of verbal abuse in children
on adult psychological functioning. A retrospective, casual-comparative design was used
drawing a sample of adults (n = 224), ages 18 to 40, who reported verbal abuse as
children as well as those not reporting verbal abuse, from local universities and colleges.
Participants completed the Childhood Traumatic History Questionnaire and the Millon
Clinical Multiaxial Inventory-IV (MCMI- IV). Logistic regression was used to examine
the relationships between verbal abuse in children within 4 research questions. The
analysis of 4 research questions showed that verbal abuse significantly predicts the
likelihood of anxiety, depression, and PTSD. Verbal abuse significantly predicted the
likelihood of one personality disorder, but not others. Better understanding of effects of
verbal abuse in children on adult psychological functioning could equip individuals and
practitioners with prevention and treatment measures that could reduce the adverse
effects verbal abuse on mental health.
Childhood Verbal Abuse and its Psychological Effects on Adults
by
Lani Thomason

MA, Walden University, 2007
BS, Williams Baptist College, 2002

Dissertation Submitted in Partial Fulfillment
of the Requirements for the Degree of
Doctor of Philosophy
Psychology

Walden University
May 2018
Dedication
This is dedicated to all those individuals who are silent or those that do not reach their
full potential due to the words that others have said to them.
Acknowledgments
I would like to acknowledge my family (husband and children) who without their help
and motivation I would not have completed this work.
Table of Contents

List of Tables……………………………………………………………………………iv
List of Figures ......................................................................................................................v
Chapter 1: Introduction to the Study ....................................................................................1
Background ....................................................................................................................2
Problem Statement .........................................................................................................6
Purpose of the Present Study .........................................................................................7
Nature of the Study ........................................................................................................7
Research Questions and Hypotheses .............................................................................8
Theoretical Foundation ................................................................................................10
Definitions....................................................................................................................12
Definitions of Key Terms ..................................................................................... 12
Definitions of Operational Variables .................................................................... 12
Assumptions of the Study ............................................................................................14
Scope and Delimitations of the study ..........................................................................15
Limitations of the Study...............................................................................................16
Significance of the Study .............................................................................................16
Summary ......................................................................................................................17
Chapter 2: Literature Review .............................................................................................19
Introduction ..................................................................................................................19
Problem Statement ................................................................................................ 19
i
Purpose of the Present Study ................................................................................ 20
Organization of the Chapter .................................................................................. 20
Literature Search Strategy............................................................................................21
Theoretical Justification ...............................................................................................22
Background of Theories ........................................................................................ 22
Research on Abuse .......................................................................................................26
Background of Abuse ........................................................................................... 26
Verbal Abuse ........................................................................................................ 30
Effects of Verbal Abuse ........................................................................................ 36
Psychiatric Disorders ............................................................................................ 37
Summary ......................................................................................................................40
Chapter 3: Research Method ..............................................................................................42
Introduction ..................................................................................................................42
Purpose of the Present Study ................................................................................ 42
Research Design and Rational .....................................................................................42
Research Questions and Hypotheses .................................................................... 42
Methodology ................................................................................................................45
Participants ............................................................................................................ 46
Measures ......................................................................................................................48
Childhood Traumatic History Questionnaire ........................................................ 48
Millon Clinical Multiaxial Inventory- IV ............................................................. 49
Procedures ............................................................................................................. 50
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Data Analysis ........................................................................................................ 51
Threats to Validity .......................................................................................................53
Ethical Procedures ................................................................................................ 55
Summary ......................................................................................................................55
Chapter 4: Results ..............................................................................................................57
Chapter Overview ........................................................................................................57
Pre-Analysis Data Cleaning .........................................................................................57
Descriptive Statistics ....................................................................................................59
Detailed Analysis .........................................................................................................66
Summary ......................................................................................................................72
Chapter 5: Discussion, Conclusions, and Recommendations ............................................74
Introduction ..................................................................................................................74
Interpretation of Findings ............................................................................................74
Limitations of the Study...............................................................................................78
Implications..................................................................................................................80
Conclusion ...................................................................................................................81
References ..........................................................................................................................85
Appendix A: Childhood Traumatic History ......................................................................97
Appendix B: Consent to use questionnaire ........................................................................98
Appendix C: Approval Walden IRB ................................................................................100
Appendix D: Institution Approval ...................................................................................103

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