Cumulative Childhood Trauma and Relationship Distress: The Intermediary Role of Emotion Regulation Among Couples Seeking Relationship Psychotherapy.

Cumulative childhood trauma (CCT) can lead to long-lasting consequences, such as difficulties in emotion regulation, which, in turn, can affect romantic relationships. While problems with emotion regulation are associated with poorer relationship outcomes, few studies have examined these associations among couples seeking relationship psychotherapy, despite an estimated 80% of individuals in such psychotherapy having experienced CCT. The present study investigated the intermediary role of emotion regulation difficulties in the association between CCT and relationship distress in 199 couples seeking relationship psychotherapy. Path analysis revealed both a direct and an indirect association between one's CCT and one's relationship distress, through difficulties in emotion regulation. This study highlights the need for further investigation into the mechanisms underlying the consequences of CCT on romantic partnerships.