Childhood Psychological Maltreatment and Its Impact on Intimate Relationships: The Role of Compassionate Goals

Childhood psychological maltreatment impairs the adult intimate relationships not only by fostering negative processes, but also by undermining prosocial mechanisms. Two longitudinal studies found that childhood psychological maltreatment predicts decreased compassionate goals over time, with negative effects on relationship quality. These negative effects are attenuated when partners have compassionate goals.