Date of Award

2025

Degree Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Science in Human Development and Family Science

Department

Human Development and Family Science

First Advisor

Jessica Cless

Second Advisor

Hans Saint-Eloi Cadely

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to examine whether experiencing ACEs and hostile attributions led to engaging in conflict behaviors in adult romantic relationships. Additionally, it was examined whether hostile attributions served as a moderator in the relationship between experiencing ACEs and engaging in conflict behaviors. Participants were adults (N = 3.684) from the German Family Panel dataset. Structural equation modeling was used to examine the associations between experiencing ACEs, hostile attributions, and conflict behaviors. It was found that both experiencing ACEs and hostile attributions were related to engaging in conflict behaviors. However, hostile attributions did not serve as a moderator in the relationship between ACEs and conflict behaviors. These findings suggest that experiencing ACEs and hostile attributions can have long term impacts on adult romantic relationships. These findings can be useful for sociologists, psychologists, marriage and family therapists, and social workers.

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