The Impact of Childhood Maltreatment on Social Support and Social Networks In Adulthood: A Scoping Review

Background: Childhood maltreatment (CM), including physical, emotional, and sexual abuse as well as neglect, is a significant public health issue with well-documented detrimental effects on long-term well-being. While the link between CM and adverse adult outcomes is well established, less is known about the relational mechanisms underlying these pathways. Adult social support and social network characteristics are developmental outcomes influenced by early adversity, and key mechanisms that influence subsequent health trajectories across the lifespan.

The purpose of this scoping review was to map the state of the literature on associations between types of CM and adult social support and social networks. A comprehensive understanding of these relationships is essential for informing intervention development for adults with CM histories.

Methods: We conducted a scoping review following Arksey and O’Malley’s (2005) framework, guided by PRISMA-ScR guidelines. Literature was searched in PsycINFO, Social Services Abstracts, and PubMed using terms related to childhood maltreatment, adult social support, social networks, and health outcomes. Studies were limited to peer-reviewed, English-language empirical articles published within the past 20 years. While 661 records were identified, 23 studies met the inclusion criteria after screening and full-text review. These studies examined relationships between CM and adult social support or social networks. Data were organized using a structured framework that captured study characteristics, maltreatment types, social outcomes, and the nature of associations (direct or mediated). Findings were synthesized using descriptive mapping and thematic analysis.

Results: Findings indicate two key patterns. First, childhood maltreatment is associated with diminished adult social resources. Across diverse samples, individuals with histories of childhood maltreatment report lower perceived social support, smaller social networks, and poorer relationship quality in adulthood. Second, a substantial portion of the literature identifies social support as a mechanism linking CM to adverse distal outcomes. Evidence across studies suggests that reduced social support is implicated in pathways to psychopathology (e.g., depression, anxiety, posttraumatic stress), revictimization (e.g., intimate partner violence), and developmental challenges (e.g., difficulties with trust and intimacy).

Studies varied in how they modeled social support, including as a direct outcome, mediator, or covariate. Most relied on cross-sectional or retrospective designs, though several prospective cohort studies offer stronger evidence of temporal pathways. Differences in study design and analytic approaches contributed to variability in the strength and consistency of the relationship between childhood maltreatment and social support. The literature also heavily relied on measures of perceived social support, with limited focus on the structural aspects of social networks.

Conclusion: Social support and social network characteristics are key relational factors linked to CM across the lifespan. Disruptions in social support may result from early adversity and are one pathway through which its effects persist over time. Findings highlight the need for clearer concepts and better measurement in the study of social support and networks, as well as greater focus on relational outcomes as essential, not secondary, effects of CM. Interventions that focus on improving relational skills and opportunities to build stable, supportive connections may be critical for achieving better long-term outcomes for individuals with CM histories.