Social strain and support as mediators in the relationship between childhood abuse and adult depression

Childhood parental abuse is an essential risk factor for greater adulthood major depressive disorder symptom severity (MDDSS). However, the change mechanisms explaining the pathway from childhood maternal or paternal abuse (CMA or CPA) to adulthood MDDSS remain open to inquiry. We thus evaluated social support and strain from family, friends, and spousal/partner sources as plausible mediators in the pathway from CMA and CPA to adulthood MDDSS.

Community-dwelling adults were enrolled in a prospective study (N = 3294). Structural equation mediation modeling tested relationships among recalled CMA and CPA at Wave 1 (W1), social support and strain at Wave 2 (W2; 9 years from W1), and MDDSS at Wave 3 (W3; 18 years from W1). All models adjusted for W1 MDDSS and social support/strain levels.

Greater CMA temporally predicted lower future family and spousal support (Cohen's d = -0.52 to -0.39), as well as higher family and spousal strain (d = 0.32 to 0.86). Moreover, lower family and spousal support (d = -0.56 to -0.48), as well as higher family and spousal strain (d = 0.49 to 0.52), were associated with higher W3 MDDSS. Indirect mediation effects for W1 CMA emerged via family and spousal support (d = 0.33 to 0.35), and family and spousal strain (d = 0.28 to 0.42). Friend support and strain failed to mediate any pathways.

Given their long-term imprints, prevention programs and treatments should address and prioritize the quality of familial and marital relations for adults who are childhood abuse survivors.