Pioneer: Journal of Language and Literature
Vol 17 No 2 (2025)

Childhood trauma and its effect on adult relationships in It Ends with Us

Simatupang, Zefanya Aurora Magdalena (Unknown)
Thohiriyah, Thohiriyah (Unknown)



Article Info

Publish Date
31 Dec 2025

Abstract

It Ends with Us by Colleen Hoover is a novel inspired by the author’s personal experience witnessing her mother endure domestic violence. The story follows Lily Bloom, a woman who grew up in an abusive household and later faces similar patterns in her adult romantic relationship. This study analyzes Lily’s psychological development using Anna Freud’s psychoanalytic theory, particularly focusing on defense mechanisms. The objective is to explore how Lily’s unresolved childhood trauma influences her thought processes and decision-making in adulthood. Through a qualitative method, the study examines narrative passages and character dialogues from the novel to identify psychological patterns. The analysis focuses on five of Anna Freud’s defense mechanisms: repression, denial, rationalization, displacement, and suppression, highlighting how Lily both consciously and unconsciously relies on these strategies to cope with trauma. The findings reveal that Lily’s exposure to domestic violence as a child profoundly impacts her adult emotional responses, making it difficult for her to confront abuse, assert boundaries, or think rationally in her relationship. Ultimately, the study emphasizes how defense mechanisms serve as psychological tools to shield individuals from the lasting effects of childhood trauma, as reflected in Lily’s behavior and emotional struggles throughout the novel.

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Journal Info

Abbrev

pioneer

Publisher

Subject

Humanities Education Languange, Linguistic, Communication & Media Social Sciences

Description

Pioneer is a journal of language and literature which provides academics and practitioners with the opportunities to put out their ideas, theoretical applications, data analyses, discourses, and literary criticisms. This journal is managed by Faculty of Letters, University of Abdurachman Saleh ...