Emotional abuse during childhood and depressive symptoms in young adults

Abstract

Approximately 1 in 260 children are emotionally abused each year in the Netherlands, these rates have been stable for many years. Childhood emotional abuse (CEA) has been widely recognized as a significant risk factor for mental health issues later in life, particularly depressive symptoms. This cross-sectional study aimed to investigate the relationship between retrospective reports of CEA and depressive symptoms in young adults, while also exploring the moderating effect of gender in this relation. Data were obtained from the Research on Adolescents and Relationships-Younger cohort (RADAR-Y) study, comprising 365 young adults aged approximately 23 years. Measures included the self-report questionnaires Childhood Trauma Questionnaire and the Reynolds Adolescent Depression Scale – 2nd edition. Statistical regression and moderation analyses were conducted, using the PROCESS macro tool V4.2. Results revealed a significant positive association between CEA and depressive symptoms, consistent with previous research. Additionally, females exhibited higher levels of both CEA and depressive symptoms compared to males. Despite these differences between male and female, gender did not moderate the relationship between CEA and depressive symptoms. This suggests that emotionally abused young adults have an equal likelihood of experiencing depressive symptoms regardless of gender. This study highlights the importance of early identification and intervention to mitigate the adverse effects of CEA on mental health, specifically depressive symptoms, in young adulthood. young adults; childhood emotional abuse; depressive symptoms; gender