Unresolved Shadows: Exploring the Impact of Childhood Abuse on Anger in University Students and the Mediating Role of Well-being

Abstract

Child abuse in childhood has been associated with different psychological effects; that is anger concerning emotion management and affiliating with other people. This relationship also moderated by psychological wellbeing. The purpose of this study was to determine the relationship between childhood abuse and anger among university students with elementary information optional Psychological Wellbeing among university students playing a moderating role. To investigate the relationship between childhood abuse, anger, and psychological wellbeing in university students and determine the mediating role of wellbeing. An online survey method adopted and the participants were 361 university students’ self-administered questionnaires of childhood abuse, anger and psychological well-being. Multiple regression and process analyses conducted to compare the direct and indirect effects of childhood abuse on anger with psychological wellbeing as the mediator. The findings showed that childhood abuse had positive relationship with anger, (r= 0.81, P < 0.01) and negative relationship with psychological wellbeing, (r = -0.79 P < 0.01). Psychological wellbeing significantly mediated the relationship between childhood abuse and anger (Indirect effect: Although the women showed a higher wellbeing which resulted in less anger, the value of β = 0.043, 95% CI [0.022, 0.080], p = 0.002. The study evidences that childhood abuse strongly predicts anger in university students and that the students’ psychological wellbeing partially mediates this process. Psychological improvement might be beneficial in decreasing anger among adults who abused as children discovering interventions for them.