Childhood Parental Emotional Maltreatment:A Study of its Consequences in Adulthood

The present study examined the role of childhood parental emotional abuse and neglect in the formation and development of fear of intimacy in the context of romantic relationships and depressive symptoms among a sample of young adults. A total of 275 participants (120 males & 155 females) having the age range from 18 years to 25 years were administered Computer Assisted Maltreatment Inventory-Psychological Abuse Subscale, Multidimensional Neglectful Behaviour-Form A 20 (Adolescent & Adult Recall Version), Fear of Intimacy Scale and Beck Depression Inventory II. The results of the study showed a significant relationship of childhood parental emotional abuse and neglect with fear of intimacy and depressive symptoms. The results also suggested significant gender differences in fear of intimacy among young adults. Childhood parental emotional abuse and neglect were significantly predicted fear of intimacy and depressive symptoms. The results, thus, indicate that childhood parental emotional abuse and neglect play a critical role in the development of fear of intimacy in the context of romantic relationships and depressive symptoms among young adults. Therefore, it may be argued that maltreatment occurring during the childhood may have enduring adverse influences on adult psychological health.