From Childhood Emotional Abuse to Wellbeing: Pathways of Maladaptive and Adaptive Schemas in Trauma Recovery
Tracks
Ballroom 1 - In-Person & Virtual via OnAIR
| Tuesday, June 23, 2026 |
| 1:30 PM - 1:50 PM |
Overview
Loretta Morgan, Bond University
Presenter
Mrs Loretta Morgan
Phd Candidate
Bond University
From Childhood Emotional Abuse to Wellbeing: Pathways of Maladaptive and Adaptive Schemas in Trauma Recovery
Presentation Overview
This study examined the pathways from childhood trauma to trauma recovery and wellbeing by exploring the relationships between childhood trauma types, maladaptive and adaptive schemas, PTSD, DSO, and cPTSD symptoms, trauma recovery, resilience, and wellbeing. Using correlational, hierarchical regression, and mediation analyses, the study aimed to identify how early maltreatment contributes to complex trauma symptoms and to clarify the roles of maladaptive and adaptive schemas in trauma recovery processes.
Findings showed that childhood trauma was significantly associated with maladaptive schemas, supporting existing evidence that unmet childhood needs foster early maladaptive belief systems. Emotional abuse emerged as the strongest predictor of DSO and cPTSD symptoms, which in turn were associated with lower trauma recovery and wellbeing. The defectiveness schema and DSO symptoms of complex trauma were the most significant negative predictors of recovery, suggesting that self-perceived defectiveness and unworthiness, emotional dysregulation, and relational disturbance are central barriers to healing.
Importantly, individuals who experienced emotional and physical neglect demonstrated the presence of both maladaptive and adaptive schemas, indicating that some survivors develop protective beliefs through factors such as resilience and social connection. Adaptive schemas, including basic health and safety/optimism, healthy self-interest/self-care, self-reliance/competence, and social belonging were positively related to trauma recovery, resilience, and wellbeing.
While the maladaptive schema of defectiveness and DSO symptoms mediated the relationship between emotional abuse and reduced recovery and well-being, adaptive schemas did not meet mediation criteria but nonetheless contributed significantly to positive outcomes.
These findings highlight that recovery involves not only reducing maladaptive patterns but cultivating adaptive schemas that restore safety, self-worth, and relational trust.
Overall, the results support a multidimensional model in which emotional abuse and complex trauma symptoms hinder recovery, while adaptive schemas and resilience processes foster trauma recovery and wellbeing.
Three Key Learnings
1. Emotional abuse was the most damaging trauma type, strongly predicting complex trauma symptoms and lower recovery and wellbeing.
2. Maladaptive schemas, particularly defectiveness, and DSO symptoms were key mechanisms linking trauma to poor outcomes, highlighting the importance of addressing negative self-beliefs in treatment.
3. Adaptive schemas such as optimism, self-reliance, and social belonging promoted resilience, recovery, and wellbeing, showing that trauma recovery requires both reducing maladaptive patterns and cultivating adaptive ones.
Findings showed that childhood trauma was significantly associated with maladaptive schemas, supporting existing evidence that unmet childhood needs foster early maladaptive belief systems. Emotional abuse emerged as the strongest predictor of DSO and cPTSD symptoms, which in turn were associated with lower trauma recovery and wellbeing. The defectiveness schema and DSO symptoms of complex trauma were the most significant negative predictors of recovery, suggesting that self-perceived defectiveness and unworthiness, emotional dysregulation, and relational disturbance are central barriers to healing.
Importantly, individuals who experienced emotional and physical neglect demonstrated the presence of both maladaptive and adaptive schemas, indicating that some survivors develop protective beliefs through factors such as resilience and social connection. Adaptive schemas, including basic health and safety/optimism, healthy self-interest/self-care, self-reliance/competence, and social belonging were positively related to trauma recovery, resilience, and wellbeing.
While the maladaptive schema of defectiveness and DSO symptoms mediated the relationship between emotional abuse and reduced recovery and well-being, adaptive schemas did not meet mediation criteria but nonetheless contributed significantly to positive outcomes.
These findings highlight that recovery involves not only reducing maladaptive patterns but cultivating adaptive schemas that restore safety, self-worth, and relational trust.
Overall, the results support a multidimensional model in which emotional abuse and complex trauma symptoms hinder recovery, while adaptive schemas and resilience processes foster trauma recovery and wellbeing.
Three Key Learnings
1. Emotional abuse was the most damaging trauma type, strongly predicting complex trauma symptoms and lower recovery and wellbeing.
2. Maladaptive schemas, particularly defectiveness, and DSO symptoms were key mechanisms linking trauma to poor outcomes, highlighting the importance of addressing negative self-beliefs in treatment.
3. Adaptive schemas such as optimism, self-reliance, and social belonging promoted resilience, recovery, and wellbeing, showing that trauma recovery requires both reducing maladaptive patterns and cultivating adaptive ones.
Biography
Loretta Morgan is a PhD Candidate at Bond University and holds a Bachelor of Psychological Science (Honours). Her research and clinical interests centre on childhood and complex trauma, domestic and relational violence, trauma recovery, and wellbeing.
Loretta’s doctoral work examines the pathways from childhood emotional abuse to trauma recovery and wellbeing, with a particular focus on the roles of maladaptive and adaptive schemas and the protective factors that foster resilience and recovery. Her broader research goal is to inform evidence-based, trauma-informed approaches that promote healing and long-term wellbeing in individuals and communities affected by early adversity.
