Evaluating Outcome Factors of Childhood Emotional Neglect: An Exploratory Factor Analysis

<p>Experiencing childhood maltreatment has been shown to have major implications on adult outcomes. Less is known about the outcomes of childhood emotional neglect (CEN). The purpose of this study was to identify factors related to psychological outcomes of CEN within the domains of depression, anxiety, and alexithymia as a precursor to the development of an inventory. One hundred and fifty participant responses on the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9), Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7 (GAD-7), and Toronto Alexithymia Scale-20 (TAS-20) were collected. Exploratory factor analysis was conducted where nine factors yielded significant results and were titled, “Depressive Symptoms,” “Difficulty Identifying Feelings,” “Usefulness of Feelings,” “Difficulty Describing Feelings,” “Psychosomatic Symptoms,” “Reduced Physical Activation,” “Avoidance of Symbolism in Entertainment Preferences,” “Externality,” and “Anxiety Symptoms,” respectively. This study augments prior literature regarding CEN to demonstrate constructs such as the belief in the usefulness of feelings in problem solving (Factor 3), avoiding entertainment that may have deeper meanings (Factor 7), and an avoidance of engaging in introspection (Factor 8). These results demonstrate that outcomes of CEN may be more complex than previously understood.</p>

Name thesis:degree_name

Psy.D. Doctor of Clinical Psychology

Level thesis:degree_level

Dissertation - Public Access

Discipline thesis:degree_discipline

Clinical Psychology

Year dc:date.available

2022

Author dc:creator

• Levitt, Taylor

Contributors dc:contributor

• Christopher Rector, Ph.D.
• Kristen Carney-Newberry, Psy.D.
• Audra Marks, Psy.D.

• childhood emotional neglect
• exploratory factor analysis
• outcomes
• Child Psychology
• Clinical Psychology
• Developmental Psychology
• Quantitative Psychology

Repository record dc:identifier

https://digitalcommons.nl.edu/diss/631

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:digitalcommons.nl.edu:diss-1680