Rihanna is reportedly haunted by her relationship with her father, which is why she can't let Chris Brown go.

The pop star has reportedly been dating rapper Chris again, even though he has still been meeting up with his ex Karrueche Tran.

Rihanna's father Ronald Fenty has previously spoken about his battle with alcohol and drugs while the 24-year-old Barbadian singer was growing up.

It has been suggested that Rihanna's unstable childhood is the reason why she is so willing to accept Chris back into her life, even though he assaulted her in 2009.

"Rihanna's tried to let all that go," an insider explained to British magazine Look. "But things like that haunt you. I don't think she's considered it could be the reason she keeps letting Chris treat her like this. She doesn't seem to understand it - she can't stop it."

The star's determination to continue seeing Chris despite his past behavior has been dubbed a toxic cycle. Sources suggest he will not change while she allows him to toy with her feelings.

"Chris obviously loves having two women to flit between," the insider continued. "He's not going to stop - why would he?!"