Evaluating the indirect effect of child maltreatment on trait aggression through shame coping styles

The pathway from childhood maltreatment to aggression is complex, with preliminary research identifying that the shame coping styles of Attack Other and Withdrawal may mediate this relationship. Using a cross-sectional research design, the aim of this study is to further investigate the influence of shame coping styles on the relationship between childhood maltreatment and trait aggression and whether this relationship differs by gender.

A panel sample of 430 Australian participants (53% female, M_age = 45 years) completed an anonymous online survey measuring participant demographics, experiences of childhood maltreatment (Childhood Trauma Questionnaire-Short Form), shame coping styles (the Compass of Shame Scale), and trait aggression (Buss-Perry Aggression Questionnaire-Short Form).

For men, childhood maltreatment had a direct effect on each shame coping style as well as trait aggression; however, no indirect effects were present. For women, childhood maltreatment had direct effects on shame coping styles and trait aggression. This relationship was partially mediated by the Attack Other coping style (β = 0.08, p = .006). No other indirect effects were present.

The findings of this study show the potential effect of childhood maltreatment on aggression and shame coping styles but also highlight that gender may influence this relationship. There is a clear need indicated for interventions that support people who have experienced maltreatment to understand how shame is interwoven within their emotional traits and their coping styles and give them tools to deal with other people in social interactions. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2026 APA, all rights reserved).