Consequences of childhood emotional neglect in adult relationships : a pastoral counselling approach

Abstract

Some children experience love, warmth, support, attention and care from their caregivers while others go through adverse experiences such as emotional neglect. This study investigated the consequences of childhood emotional neglect throughout a person’s life, in adult relationships and parenting practices. Ultimately, the study aimed to determine the suitability of narrative pastoral narrative counselling as a means to mitigate the effects of childhood emotional neglect. The methodology employed was a literature study. The study did not have an empirical component, it incorporated insight from existing literature to provide a comprehensive understanding of the research question. It used interpretivism as the epistemological paradigm. The study found that childhood emotional neglect can cause mental health challenges, negative attachment styles, and adverse effects in adult relationships and parenting practices. Childhood emotional neglect can lead to substance use disorder and poor academic performance. The study also found that the narrative pastoral counselling approach can facilitate healing and wholeness for affected individuals. Narrative pastoral counselling allows individuals and couples who experienced childhood emotional neglect to share and interpret their stories, using empathy, non-judgment, and a caring environment. Narrative counsellors avoid pathologizing and use multiple tools to co-author alternative stories and foster new meaning and identity. The Jesus’ narrative exemplifies empathy and emotional responsiveness which serves as a model and catalyst for positive human interaction. It can inspire individuals to overcome the effects of childhood emotional neglect and tell new stories in light of God’s story and make new meaning and discover a new identity in Christ.