An exploration of the relationship between childhood emotional neglect and self-compassion and cognitive emotion regulation in adults

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dc.contributor.advisor Bezuidenhout, Monique
dc.contributor.postgraduate Sturdee, Trevor James
dc.date.accessioned 2024-07-22T11:27:32Z
dc.date.available 2024-07-22T11:27:32Z
dc.date.created 2024-09
dc.date.issued 2024-07-19
dc.description Dissertation (MSc (Psychology))--University of Pretoria, 2024. en_US
dc.description.abstract This study explored the relationship between childhood emotional neglect and levels of self-compassion and cognitive emotional regulation strategies utilised in adulthood, in a largely South African sample. Neglect is one of the most common forms of childhood maltreatment, however it is often underreported and overlooked in psychological research. Both self-compassionate practices and the utilisation of adaptive cognitive emotional regulation strategies have been shown to be effective in minimising suffering and maximising wellbeing. Therefore, understanding the links between childhood emotional neglect and positive psychological traits in adults is vital in informing parenting practices, clinical interventions and further academic exploration. This study used a sample of 101 participants in a cross-sectional, quantitative design. The findings indicated that childhood emotional neglect was positively correlated with isolation, one of the key components of low self-compassion. Childhood emotional neglect was also found to be inversely correlated with the adaptive cognitive emotional regulation strategies of refocus on planning, positive appraisal and positively associated with the maladaptive strategy of other blame. This indicated that higher levels of emotional neglect are related to less self-compassionate practices and increased emotional dysregulation. High self-compassion and adaptive cognitive emotional regulation strategies were strongly related. Further significant relationships were found between other forms of childhood neglect and both self-compassion and emotional regulation, that point to gaps in the literature. This is specifically the case with cognitive and supervisory neglect, the specific consequences of which are largely unexamined academically. This research has important academic and clinical consequences for the understanding of childhood emotional neglect and the promotion of wellbeing in adults. This suggests that survivors of childhood neglect might employ strategies for navigating adversity that can amplify their suffering, indicating therapeutic intervention. It also highlights the need for further exploration of the different domains of childhood neglect and the implications for the development of healthy psychological adjustment. en_US
dc.description.availability Unrestricted en_US
dc.description.degree MA (Psychology) en_US
dc.description.department Psychology en_US
dc.description.faculty Faculty of Humanities en_US
dc.identifier.citation * en_US
dc.identifier.doi 10.25403/UPresearchdata.26334940 en_US
dc.identifier.other S2024 en_US
dc.identifier.uri http://hdl.handle.net/2263/97149
dc.language.iso en en_US
dc.publisher University of Pretoria
dc.rights © 2023 University of Pretoria. All rights reserved. The copyright in this work vests in the University of Pretoria. No part of this work may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, without the prior written permission of the University of Pretoria.
dc.subject UCTD en_US
dc.subject Self-compassion en_US
dc.subject Cognitive emotional regulation en_US
dc.subject Emotional neglect en_US
dc.subject Attachment theory en_US
dc.subject Object-relations theory en_US
dc.subject.other Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)
dc.subject.other SDG-03: Good health and well-being
dc.subject.other Humanities theses SDG-03
dc.subject.other SDG-04: Quality education
dc.subject.other Humanities theses SDG-04
dc.title An exploration of the relationship between childhood emotional neglect and self-compassion and cognitive emotion regulation in adults en_US
dc.type Dissertation en_US


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