The Influence of Childhood Emotional Abuse and Neglect on Love Addiction: The Indirect Effect of Vulnerable Narcissism Among Female and Male Emerging Adults.

Childhood maltreatment is a key precursor to vulnerable narcissism since it likely lead to a narcissistic injury that triggers defenses against rage and abandonment. In later life, this pattern may contribute to a maladaptive model of love relationships. The present study explored the association between different types of childhood maltreatment (i.e., emotional, physical, and sexual abuse; physical and emotional neglect) and love addiction via vulnerable narcissism in a community sample of 505 cisgender emerging adults (M = 24.90, SD = 2.67; 76.6% assigned female at birth (AFAB); 68.5% heterosexual) residing in Italy. Data collection relied on self-report questionnaires administered online through the Qualtrics platform, and study hypotheses were tested using structural equation modeling. The results showed that childhood emotional abuse and emotional neglect directly influenced love addiction, while physical and sexual abuse, as well as physical neglect, showed no significant effects. Greater childhood emotional abuse and neglect were associated with increased vulnerable narcissism, leading to higher levels of love addiction. Gender differences emerged, with the indirect effect of vulnerable narcissism on the relationship between emotional neglect and love addiction significant only for AFAB. The findings emphasize the risk of love addiction in emerging adults with a history of childhood emotional abuse and neglect, highlighting the importance of addressing childhood emotional maltreatment and vulnerable narcissistic personality traits in interventions to treat this condition.

Positive Childhood Experiences are Associated With Alcohol Use in Adolescent and Emerging Adult Females by Adverse Childhood Experiences Dimension.

PURPOSE: Experiencing multiple adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) is associated with alcohol use in female adolescents and emerging adults. Protective and compensatory experiences (PACEs) have been theorized to off-set the health and behavioral consequences from the accumulation of ACEs throughout childhood. This study examines the association between protective experiences and subsequent alcohol and binge alcohol use frequency over one month among female adolescent and emerging adults reporting high and low levels of two ACE dimensions (household dysfunction and emotional abuse/neglect). METHODS: One hundred 43 females between the ages of 15-24 who indicated at least one binge episode in the past two weeks completed the six-item ACEs scale, the PACEs scale, and demographics at baseline. Alcohol consumption was measured prospectively over the next month during weekly appointments using the timeline follow back approach. RESULTS: Two PACEs factors had significant direct associations, a source of unconditional love was associated with less frequent alcohol use (ß = -0.437, 95% confidence interval [CI] -0.744, -0.131, exp(ß) = 0.65, p = .005) in the context of high household dysfunction; and having a trusted adult to count on for help and advice (ß = -1.373, 95% CI -2.283, -0.464, exp(ß) = 0.25, p = .003) predicted fewer binge occasions in the context of high emotional abuse/neglect. Regardless of ACE dimension exposure, nonsport social group membership was associated more frequent alcohol use over the month across all ACE dimensions (ß = 0.11-0.74, 95% CI -0.11, 0.74, exp(ß) = 1.37 - 1.62, p ≤ .002); and having a trusted adult to count on for help and advice was associated with a 5.7 times more frequent of alcohol use among those with low household dysfunction (ß = 1.74, 95% CI 0.83, 2.65, exp(ß) = 5.70, p < .001). DISCUSSION: Few PACE items are associated with direct reductions in alcohol outcomes. Indeed, there is consistently heightened risk associated with nonsport group membership for alcohol use frequency, regardless of experiences of childhood adversity. Future research should identify which protective factors have the most potential to off-set alcohol use by ACE dimension.

Trajectories of risk and resilience: The role of empathy and perceived social support in the context of early adversity.

BACKGROUND: Evidence overwhelmingly suggests that adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) is a risk factor for poor mental health outcomes. However, the specific mechanisms via which ACEs confer an increased risk of psychopathology are less well understood. OBJECTIVE: The study modelled the effect of empathy and perceived social support (PSS) on mental health outcomes in a mixed clinical and non-clinical population, within the context of exposure to ACEs. PARTICIPANTS AND SETTING: A total of 575 participants (comprising a treatment-receiving and community-based sample), aged 18 to 65 completed self-report measures assessing early adversity, PSS, empathy, and mental health outcomes. METHODS: Multiple mediation analyses were used to investigate whether empathy and PSS mediated the relationship between self-reported ACEs and mental health outcomes, and whether affective and cognitive empathy affected differentially the link between emotional neglect and psychological distress. RESULTS: Results revealed a statistically significant indirect effect of ACEs on adult mental health through affective empathy and PSS. Emotional neglect was the only type of adversity significantly correlated with both dimensions of empathy. The indirect effect of emotional neglect on mental health outcomes via cognitive and affective empathy was also statistically significant. CONCLUSIONS: Study results highlight the role of affective empathy and PSS as transdiagnostic mechanisms influencing the pathway between early adversity and adult mental health, and the importance of taking these into account when designing interventions aiming to promote well-being among those who have experienced childhood adversity.

Neglecting the impact of childhood neglect: A scoping review of the relation between child neglect and emotion regulation in adulthood.

BACKGROUND: Childhood neglect, a prevalent form of child abuse, has significant short-term and long-term consequences on mental health. OBJECTIVE: This scoping review aimed to provide an overview of existing evidence on childhood neglect in relation to emotion regulation in adulthood. PARTICIPANTS AND SETTING: Participants were not individually evaluated but we provided future directions for research based on the overview of studies. METHODS: A systematic search strategy was conducted, resulting in the analysis of 25 selected articles. We performed an inventory of existing evidence to identify knowledge gaps. RESULTS: The review identified the need for future research to differentiate neglect from other forms of child abuse. Longitudinal studies tracking individuals from childhood to adulthood are recommended to understand developmental trajectories and continuity. Diverse samples, with various ages, genders, and (socio-economic) backgrounds, should be included for enhanced generalizability. Geographical representation should be expanded to capture cultural variations in the association between neglect and adult emotion regulation. Furthermore, investigating other psychopathologies beyond depression in relation to neglect and emotion regulation is suggested. CONCLUSIONS: Overall, this scoping review highlights the limited knowledge regarding the link between childhood neglect and adult emotion regulation and provides valuable recommendations for advancing research in this field.

Childhood Adversity and Offense-Supportive Cognitions Among Czech Adults with a Sexual Interest in Violence or Children.

Individuals with paraphilic interests in sexual violence or children may be more likely to sexually offend if they possess offense-supportive cognitions. These cognitions may develop in response to childhood adversity. However, this idea is largely based on research in men convicted of sexual offenses and may not generalize to non-incarcerated adults with paraphilic interests. In a sample of 178 adults screened for paraphilic interests in violence or children (from the general Czech population), we hypothesized that childhood sexual abuse and emotional neglect would be associated with offense-supportive cognitions about rape and child molestation. Participants came from a nationally representative sample of Czech adults and were selected if they self-reported high levels of sexual interest in violence and/or children. Participants completed an online survey with self-report measures of sexual orientation, offense-supportive cognitions (Bumby RAPE and MOLEST scales), and childhood sexual abuse and emotional neglect (Childhood Trauma Questionnaire). Controlling for gender, age, and sexual orientation, we found that both rape-supportive cognitions and child molestation-supportive cognitions were significantly associated with higher levels of childhood sexual abuse, but not emotional neglect. These findings indicate that childhood sexual abuse may lead to offense-supportive cognitions among men and women with paraphilia.

Why emotional neglect brings suicidal ideation? The mediating effect of meaning in life and the moderating effect of post-stress growth.

BACKGROUND: Emotional neglect during childhood has long-lasting negative effects on individuals, and it is often hidden and unrecognized. Previous research has not fully understood its unique effects on mental health outcomes, especially when considering the co-occurrence with other forms of maltreatment. The meaning-making coping and growth model suggests that individuals achieve positive psychological outcomes by constructively integrating negative experiences into their self-concept, which may be a protective mechanism against the detrimental effects of emotional neglect. OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to examine the relationship between emotional neglect and suicidal ideation among undergraduates, accounting for the presence of emotional abuse and physical neglect, and to investigate the mediating role of meaning in life and the moderating role of post-stress growth in this relationship. METHODS: A self-reported survey was conducted with 3132 undergraduate students from a university in South China. The survey assessed emotional neglect, emotional abuse, physical neglect, suicidal ideation, post-stress growth, and meaning in life. RESULTS: Meaning in life partially mediated the relationship between emotional neglect and suicidal ideation. Post-stress growth moderated the association between emotional neglect and the sense of meaning in life, in particular the moderation effect was stronger when emotional abuse was weaker. CONCLUSIONS: Meaning in life mediated the relationship between emotional neglect and suicide ideation. Post-stress growth moderated the mediation effect such that it was weakened among individual with a higher level of post-stress growth. This study contributes to the understanding of the psychopathological processes following emotional neglect and the development of positive personal changes thereafter.

Childhood abuse and neglect and profiles of adult emotion dynamics.

Childhood maltreatment (CM) is experienced by ∼40% of all children at major personal and societal costs. The divergent associations between emotional, physical, and sexual abuse or neglect in childhood and differences in adult emotional functioning and regulation were examined in terms of daily emotion intensity, variability, instability, inertia, and diversity, reported over 30 days by 290 Dutch aged 19-73. Participants described their abuse/neglect experiences retrospectively using the Childhood Trauma Questionnaire (CTQ). Dissecting CM effects on adult emotion dynamics may inform theories on the ontogenesis and functioning of emotions, on effects of abuse and neglect, to better understand (dys)functional emotional development, and to prevent their adverse sequelae. Structural equation models (SEM) showed that most types of CM were associated with specific patterns of emotion dynamics, and only emotional abuse had no unique effects on the emotional dynamic indices. Emotional neglect was associated with most measures of emotion dynamics (i.e., less intense, variable, unstable, and diverse emotions). Sexual abuse associated with increases and physical neglect decreases in negative affect variability and instability. Physical abuse was associated with inertia but with a small effect size. Social contact frequency did not mediate much of the relationship between CM types and emotion dynamics.

Self-compassion, childhood emotional neglect, and posttraumatic growth: Parental well-being during COVID-19.

BACKGROUND: The CoronaVirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic can be conceptualized as a trauma that created additional unique stressors for parents. Self-compassion might promote posttraumatic growth (PTG); however, parents with histories of childhood emotional neglect may struggle to practice self-compassion when their own affectional needs were unmet earlier in life, carrying implications for both parental and child well-being. The objective is to examine the relationship between childhood emotional neglect and pandemic-related PTG, and the moderating role of self-compassion. METHODS: An online cross-sectional survey collected information from 436 parents (M = 37.62 years, SD = 9.31) across the U.S. on pandemic- and parenting-related stresses, childhood emotional neglect, self-compassionate behavior, psychological distress, and pandemic-related PTG. Multiple regression analyses were conducted to analyze relationships among childhood emotional neglect, self-compassionate behavior, and pandemic-related PTG. RESULTS: Parents who reported greater frequency of self-compassionate behavior tended to report higher pandemic-related PTG. Childhood emotional neglect alone did not predict pandemic-related PTG; however, for parents who reported less frequent self-compassionate behavior, greater childhood emotional neglect predicted lower pandemic-related PTG. LIMITATIONS: The cross-sectional design and sample homogeneity limit both causal inference and generalizability. Limitations in operationalization of PTG and self-compassion constructs are discussed. CONCLUSIONS: Findings emphasize the utility of self-compassionate behavior in promoting pandemic-related PTG, especially for adults with histories of childhood emotional neglect. Self-compassion is a freely accessible practice that individuals can implement successfully with minimal instruction. In terms of clinical relevance, therapists may be able to identify points of intervention wherein self-compassion may stimulate pandemic-related PTG.

Childhood Emotional Neglect and Cognitive Function Among Middle-Aged and Older Adults: Mediating Role of Social Engagement.

Studies have demonstrated that childhood maltreatment and adverse experiences lead to impaired cognitive function. However, relatively few studies have examined the independent effect of childhood emotional neglect on cognitive function in middle-aged and older adults, and the role of social engagement in this relationship. Using a sample from the China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study, the current study examined the mediating role of social engagement in the association between childhood emotional neglect and cognitive function among middle-aged and older adults. Participants were 32,540 middle-aged and older adults (Mage = 63.45, SD = 8.83). Data were analyzed using a fixed effects model for panel data and bootstrap resampling method. Results showed that participants who experienced emotional neglect had poorer cognitive function (ß = -.068, p < .001). Social engagement mediated 7.55% of the association between emotional neglect and cognitive function (ß = -.004, 95% CI [-0.006, -0.002], p < .05). The results indicated that interventions are required to improve awareness of emotional neglect and facilitate healthy parenting practices. Further research on how to motivate adults who experienced emotional neglect to engage in social activities is necessary.

Childhood emotional maltreatment and sensitivity to social rejection in emerging adults.

BACKGROUND: Enhanced responsiveness to social rejection may be a transdiagnostic mechanism through which childhood emotional maltreatment predisposes individuals to interpersonal and mental health problems. To investigate this mechanism, as a first step, more detailed investigations are needed regarding the assumed association of childhood emotional maltreatment with rejection sensitivity in later life. OBJECTIVE: The present work examines the hypothesis that among different subtypes of childhood maltreatment, in particular forms of emotional maltreatment (emotional abuse and neglect) relate to rejection sensitivity in emerging adults. PARTICIPANTS AND SETTING: In study 1, 311 emerging adults (18-25 years) participated in a retrospective cross-sectional assessment. In study 2, 78 emerging adults (18-25 years) were included in an experiment (O-Cam paradigm) which involved the experience of social rejection (vs. inclusion). METHODS: Study 1 investigates whether intensities of childhood emotional abuse and neglect have unique associations with trait rejection sensitivity, when considering all maltreatment subtypes (emotional abuse, sexual abuse, physical abuse, emotional neglect, physical neglect) simultaneously. Study 2 examined whether childhood emotional abuse and neglect moderate the experience of social rejection in terms of need depletion, sadness and anger after social rejection (vs. inclusion). RESULTS: Study 1 indicates that emotional abuse and neglect have unique associations with rejection sensitivity. Study 2 results show that only a higher intensity of emotional abuse has extensive effects on need depletion and sadness after social rejection (vs. inclusion). CONCLUSIONS: In particular, experiences of childhood emotional abuse may relate to rejection sensitivity in young adulthood.