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Psychophysiological Assessment of the Effectiveness of Emotion Regulation Strategies in Childhood
Published on: February 11, 2017
Emotional neglect and family structure: impact on student functioning
Mary Jo Wark1, Theresa Kruczek, Amanda Boley
1Department of Educational Psychology, Ball State University, Muncie, IN, USA.
Child Abuse & Neglect
|October 11, 2003
Summary
Childhood emotional neglect, particularly by a female caregiver, is linked to adult psychological distress and poorer family functioning. This finding highlights potential caregiver gender effects on long-term well-being.
Area of Science:
- Psychology
- Developmental Psychology
- Clinical Psychology
Background:
- Childhood emotional neglect can have lasting impacts on adult mental health.
- Family of origin functioning, including cohesion and adaptability, plays a role in psychological well-being.
- Understanding caregiver gender effects is crucial for comprehending the impact of childhood experiences.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the relationship between retrospective reports of child neglect, family of origin functioning, and current psychological distress.
- To hypothesize that childhood emotional neglect is associated with lower family cohesion and adaptability, and greater psychological distress.
- To explore potential gender effects in the relationship between childhood neglect and adult outcomes.
Main Methods:
- Quantified retrospective reports of childhood emotional neglect using a parental bonding measure (perceived parental care).
- Categorized participants into groups based on neglect by a primary male caregiver, female caregiver, or no neglect.
- Compared groups on current psychological functioning, family of origin adaptability, and cohesiveness, using time in care as a covariate.
Main Results:
- Participants reporting childhood emotional neglect by a female caregiver experienced greater current psychological distress compared to those reporting no neglect or neglect by a male caregiver.
- Emotional neglect by a female caregiver was associated with lower reported family of origin cohesion and adaptability.
- No significant gender differences were found in the impact of emotional neglect on participants.
Conclusions:
- Perceived emotional neglect by female caregivers, irrespective of the respondent's gender, is linked to adult psychological distress and impaired family functioning.
- Male caregivers' perceived neglect did not show the same association with adult psychological distress or family functioning.
- Future research should consider participants' expectations regarding male and female caregiver roles in understanding these effects.
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