Psychological factors implicated in homelessness: an investigation into the mediating role of emotion regulation difficulties in the relationship between childhood trauma and maladaptive behaviours

Maguire, Nick, Greene, Anneliese and Willoughby, Kate (2017) Psychological factors implicated in homelessness: an investigation into the mediating role of emotion regulation difficulties in the relationship between childhood trauma and maladaptive behaviours. Behaviour Research and Therapy.

Abstract

The study investigated whether childhood trauma is indirectly associated with a tendency to engage in maladaptive behaviours (e.g., substance misuse, aggression, deliberate self-harm, sexual promiscuity), through its influence on emotion dysregulation. A series of regression analyses were performed to test the hypothesised mediator model. A significant relationship between childhood trauma and maladaptive behaviours was found, and this was fully mediated by emotion dysregulation. The findings imply that childhood abuse and neglect are associated with a reduced capacity to regulate emotions, which in turn is associated with an increased tendency to engage in maladaptive behaviours. Directions for future research into pathways to homelessness are highlighted, as well as implications for psychotherapeutic interventions which target emotion dysregulation (e.g., Dialectical Behaviour Therapy), and the need for early intervention and preventative work with young people at risk of homelessness.

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Contributors

Author: Nick Maguire

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