Dissociation and retroflection in the relationship between childhood trauma and adult violence tendency: A mediated-moderated model in a nonclinical sample

Psychol Trauma. 2026 Mar 9. doi: 10.1037/tra0002136. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: This study investigates the psychological mechanisms linking childhood trauma to adult violence tendencies in a nonclinical population, with a particular focus on the mediating role of dissociative symptoms and the moderating role of retroflection-a coping style characterized by internalized anger.

METHOD: A sample of 300 Turkish adults (aged 19-61) completed validated self-report measures, including the Childhood Trauma Questionnaire, Dissociative Experiences Scale, Violence Tendency Scale, and the Retroflection subscale of the Gestalt Contact Styles Scale-Revised.

RESULTS: Using Hayes’ PROCESS macro for regression analysis, results indicated that dissociation partially mediated the relationship between childhood trauma and violence tendency. Additionally, retroflection significantly moderated this relationship: The positive association between childhood trauma and violence tendency was stronger among individuals with lower retroflection levels.

CONCLUSIONS: These findings suggest that while dissociation may increase vulnerability to aggression following childhood trauma, retroflection may buffer this effect by suppressing externalized responses. The study highlights the importance of assessing dissociative coping and internalized anger in trauma-exposed individuals and offers implications for targeted prevention and intervention efforts in nonclinical settings. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2026 APA, all rights reserved).

PMID:41801742 | DOI:10.1037/tra0002136