Emotional Dysregulation among Young Adults: Relationship with Childhood Emotional Abuse

Abstract

The aim of the present research was to explore the relationship between childhood emotional abuse and emotion dysregulation amongst young adults. It was hypothesized that there would be a significant relationship between childhood emotional abuse and emotion dysregulation. A sample of 253 participants aged 18 to 35 were approached through an online medium utilizing convenience sampling technique. Childhood emotional abuse was measured using Comprehensive Child Maltreatment Scale (Higgins & McCabe, 2001) and emotion dysregulation was measured by using the Difficulties in Emotional Dysregulation Scale by Victor and Klonsky (2016). The findings of these self-reported scales revealed a significant weak positive relationship between childhood emotional abuse and emotion dysregulation. Moreover, there were also significant differences in emotion regulation based on birth order and marital status. The results of current research can acquaint people about the disturbances of childhood emotional abuse into adulthood. Future researches must try to ascertain mechanisms with which emotional abuse might cause emotion dysregulation.