Effects of childhood trauma on hostility, family environment and narcissism of adult individuals

• Main Authors: Mary Gouva, Venetsanos Mavreas, Elena Dragioti, Dimitrios Damigos
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Professor Despina Sapountzi-Krepia 2012-01-01
• Series: International Journal of Caring Sciences
• Subjects: Hostility; family conflict; childhood trauma; narcissism; stressful events
• Online Access: http://internationaljournalofcaringsciences.org/docs/9.Effects%20of%20childhood%20trauma.pdf
• ISSN: 1791-5201; 1792-037X

Aim: This study aimed to investigate the effects of childhood trauma on hostility, family functioning and narcissismin adulthood. 595 healthy individuals participated, classified into two groups― trauma and no-trauma ― based onexperienced traumatic events.Methodology: The Hostility and Direction of Hostility Questionnaire, the Aggression subscale of The SymptomChecklist-90-R, the Family Environment Scale and The Narcissistic Personality Inventory were administered.Results: Higher levels of hostility (p=.040) and aggression (p=.041) were observed among participants reportedexposure to a traumatic event. Apart from the conflict subscale (p=.018), no dysfunctional family environment wasfound. Narcissistic traits did not differ between the two groups (p=.199). Logistic regression models found thatparticipants experienced childhood trauma had a higher risk of overall hostility (OR=0.92, 95% CI=.89-.99).