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Through the looking glass: Emotional abuse, self-blame and their relationship with temperament and depression in adolescents

Year: 2015

Type: article

Abstract: Background: Temperament plays an important role in the development and maintenance of adolescent psychopathology, particularly in depression.The temperament dimensions of negative or positive emotionality are associated with depression in childhood, adolescence, and in adult life.Early traumatic experiences, such as emotional abuse, constitute risk factors for the development of negative cognitive styles and depressive symptoms.The use of dysfunctional regulation strategies (e.g., self-blame) seems to be a significant factor in the onset and exacerbation of depressive symptoms in multiple samples.Nevertheless, the contribution of these variables for the maintenance of depression remains inadequately studied.Objectives: The present study explored the mediator role of early emotional traumatic experiences and self-blame in the relationship between negative emotionality trait and depressive symptoms in an adolescent sample.Method: A sample of 2318 adolescents from a general community population completed several self-report questionnaires measuring depressive symptomatology (CDI), adolescent temperament (EATQ-R Short Form), early emotional traumatic experiences (CTQ-SF), and emotional regulation strategies (CERQ).Results: Results revealed that early emotional traumatic experiences and self-blame mediated the relationship between negative emotionality and depressive symptoms.Nevertheless, the negative emotionality trait is still directly associated with depressive symptoms.These data seem to suggest that adolescents with negative emotionality trait that recall early traumatic experiences and tend to self-blame are more vulnerable to depression.Conclusions: Some important clinical implications should be addressed.Treatment should include therapeutic strategies focused on self-blame and early traumatic experiences (emotional abuse) in order to diminish negative affect.Cognitive contextual approaches seem appropriate.

Source: Portuguese National Funding Agency for Science, Research and Technology (RCAAP Project by FCT)

Authors: Paula Castilho, C. Marques, Ana Paula Matos, Eiríkur Örn Arnarson, W. Edward Craighead

Language: English

Topic: Child and Adolescent Psychosocial and Emotional Development

Subfield: Clinical Psychology

Field: Psychology

Domain: Social Sciences

SDG: Good health and well-being

Open Access status: green

Funders: Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia, European Regional Development Fund

Awards: G1167214205, G1578237752, "Prevenção da depressão em adolescentes Portugueses: estudo da eficácia de uma intervenção com adolescentes e pais"

OpenAlex ID: W2787396118

FWCI:

Cites: 49

Cited by:

Related to: 10