The impact of childhood abuse on adult self-esteem and emotional regulation

INTRODUCTION: The occurrence of traumatic experiences in childhood can lead to a disruption in the development of secure internal representations, with a negative impact on self-esteem [1]. In addition, child victimisation may compromise their emotional regulation skills [2] and it has been shown that individuals with lower self-esteem have less emotional regulation skills [3]. Studies with adults showed that those who suffered several types of abuse during childhood tend to have worse interpersonal relationships [4]. This research has the main goals, to identify the relationship between the impact of childhood abuse on adult self-esteem and emotional regulation, and the relationship between self-esteem and emotional regulation. This is the first study in a Portuguese sample that integrates those variables. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study design is descriptive, observational, and cross-sectional. The sample was composed of 96 Portuguese adults (over 18 years old) (M = 27.95 years, SD = 11.60). The participants answered online to a sociodemographic questionnaire, Portuguese versions of the Childhood Trauma Questionnaire (CTQ) [5], the Difficulties in Emotion Regulation Scale (DERS) [6], and the Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale (RSES) [7]. The link to the study was disclosed by e-mail and in social networks. The study was conducted in accordance with all the ethical principles. RESULTS: We found significant statistical positive correlations between the total score of the CTQ and the total score of the DERS (r = 0.422, p<.001) and the sub-scales of DERS: the not acceptance of emotional responses (r = 0.311, p=.002), difficulties engaging in goal-directed behaviour (r = 0.243, p=.017), impulse control difficulties (r = 0.431, p<.001)), limited access to emotion regulation strategies (r = 0.465, p<.001), and lack of emotional clarity (r = 0.209, p=.041). Furthermore, we observed statistical negative correlations between the total score of RSES and the total score of the CTQ (r=–0.319, p=.002), the total score of the DERS (r=–0.561, p<.001) and the sub-scales of DERS: the not acceptance of emotional responses (r=–0.413, p<.001), difficulties engaging in goal-directed behaviour (r=–0.336, p=.001), impulse control difficulties (r=–0.373, p<.001), limited access to emotion regulation strategies (r=–0.508, p<.001), and lack of emotional clarity (r = −0.542, p<.001). DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSIONS: In our study, traumatic experiences in childhood were associated with emotional regulation difficulties in adults, which is corroborated by other studies [2]. Additionally, we found that individuals who were victimised in childhood tend to have a perception of lower self-esteem in adult life. The relationship between child abuse and self-esteem and also between child abuse and the emotional regulation difficulties proves the need to develop psychological intervention aiming to enhance the positive self-esteem and the adaptative emotional skills in adulthood. This research highlights the importance of developing intervention programs in victimised children, to reduce the impact of victimisation on self-esteem and emotional regulation.