The Relationship Between Childhood Emotional Neglect and Adult Depression: A Literature Review

Childhood emotional neglect (CEN), a form of maltreatment that is bidirectional, subtle but pervasive in origin, has been gaining much empirical attention from the field of psychology as it has a close link to long-term psychological consequences. The caregivers are not teaching the children about their feelings, or their needs matter. Therefore, emotional neglect is often more subtle and unlike physical or sexual abuse, there may be no harm visible at all. The present review integrates current understandings of the nature of CEN, symptoms and course of adult anxiety, and empirical evidence supporting an association between these. It also discusses possible intervention strategies, family-based prevention, and community support systems. This review provides a framework for understanding CEN and its concomitant pathological effects to help target early identification and intervention in an effort to decrease adult depression as a result of early emotional neglect.