diff --git a/lib/closure_tree/support.rb b/lib/closure_tree/support.rb
index 1245dab..f7cc5df 100644
--- a/lib/closure_tree/support.rb
+++ b/lib/closure_tree/support.rb
@@ -35,9 +35,25 @@ def initialize(model_class, options)
       extend NumericOrderSupport.adapter_for_connection(connection)
     end
 
+    # Find the abstract base class for database connection
+    # This ensures hierarchy class uses the same database but doesn't inherit
+    # validations/callbacks from STI parent classes (issue #392)
+    def abstract_base_class
+      klass = model_class
+      while klass.superclass != ActiveRecord::Base
+        parent = klass.superclass
+        # Stop at abstract class (ApplicationRecord, MysqlRecord, etc.)
+        return parent if parent.abstract_class?
+        # Stop at connection boundary (handles non-abstract parents with custom connections)
+        return parent if parent.connection_specification_name != parent.superclass.connection_specification_name
+        klass = parent
+      end
+      ActiveRecord::Base
+    end
+
     def hierarchy_class_for_model
       parent_class = model_class.module_parent
-      hierarchy_class = parent_class.const_set(short_hierarchy_class_name, Class.new(model_class.superclass))
+      hierarchy_class = parent_class.const_set(short_hierarchy_class_name, Class.new(abstract_base_class))
       model_class_name = model_class.to_s
       hierarchy_class.class_eval do
         # Rails 8.1+ requires an implicit_order_column for models without a primary key
diff --git a/test/closure_tree/hierarchy_inheritance_test.rb b/test/closure_tree/hierarchy_inheritance_test.rb
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..7de02ac
--- /dev/null
+++ b/test/closure_tree/hierarchy_inheritance_test.rb
@@ -0,0 +1,41 @@
+# frozen_string_literal: true
+
+require 'test_helper'
+
+class HierarchyInheritanceTest < ActiveSupport::TestCase
+  # Test for issue #392: Hierarchy class should inherit from same abstract base as model
+  # but NOT from STI parent (to avoid inheriting validations/callbacks)
+  test 'MetalHierarchy inherits from same connection class as Metal' do
+    # Force MetalHierarchy to be loaded
+    Metal._ct
+
+    # Metal < ApplicationRecord (abstract connection class)
+    # Adamantium < Metal (STI child)
+    # MetalHierarchy should inherit from ApplicationRecord, NOT Metal
+    assert_equal Metal.superclass, MetalHierarchy.superclass,
+      "MetalHierarchy should inherit from same abstract base as Metal (#{Metal.superclass})"
+
+    # Verify it's the abstract class, not the STI parent
+    assert MetalHierarchy.superclass.abstract_class?,
+      "MetalHierarchy should inherit from abstract class"
+
+    # The hierarchy class should NOT inherit validations from Metal
+    assert_not_equal Metal.validators.size, MetalHierarchy.validators.size,
+      "MetalHierarchy should not inherit validations from Metal"
+  end
+
+  test 'Adamantium inherits has_closure_tree and uses same hierarchy as Metal' do
+    # Adamantium < Metal (STI - should inherit has_closure_tree)
+
+    # Verify Adamantium inherited has_closure_tree
+    assert_respond_to Adamantium, :_ct, "Adamantium should inherit has_closure_tree from Metal"
+
+    # Both should use the same hierarchy class (MetalHierarchy)
+    assert_equal Metal.hierarchy_class, Adamantium.hierarchy_class,
+      "Adamantium should use same hierarchy class as Metal (STI)"
+
+    # The hierarchy class should inherit from ApplicationRecord, NOT Metal
+    assert_equal ApplicationRecord, MetalHierarchy.superclass,
+      "MetalHierarchy should inherit from ApplicationRecord, not Metal"
+  end
+end