The Association Between Childhood Maltreatment and Mental Health Problems in Early Adulthood

Abstract

This study analyzed the relationship between childhood maltreatment and mental illness in adulthood, focusing on borderline personality disorder (BPD) and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). This data is incredibly important because creating a link between childhood maltreatment and mental illness in adulthood may guide clinicians towards early intervention and save victims from a lifetime of mental illness. Subjects completed three different surveys, all regarding childhood maltreatment, posttraumatic stress disorder, and borderline personality disorder. The results confirmed a relationship between childhood maltreatment and both posttraumatic stress disorder and borderline personality disorder, meaning participants with higher rates of childhood maltreatment showed higher rates of symptoms of both posttraumatic stress disorder and borderline personality disorder. Non-binary participants were more likely to report symptoms of borderline personality disorder, however, there were no major gender differences for posttraumatic stress disorder. These findings confirm previous research in the field, which we can use to conduct further research into gender differences, as well as use to influence early intervention in cases of childhood maltreatment.