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Retrospective Childhood Emotional Maltreatment and Adolescent Problem Behaviors Trajectories: The Mediating Roles of Neuroticism and Self-Compassion

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  • Sun, Zhaoxing
  • Ding, Wan
  • Li, Jiayi
  • Xie, Ruibo

Abstract

Despite growing awareness that early adverse experiences may shape adolescent problem behaviors, understanding of the longitudinal relationships and potential mechanisms between childhood emotional maltreatment and the developmental trajectories of adolescent problem behaviors remains limited. This study examined the longitudinal relationship between retrospective childhood emotional maltreatment and adolescent problem behaviors trajectories, considering the mediating roles of neuroticism and self-compassion. Participants were 1,214 Chinese adolescents (Mage = 15.46, SDage = 0.71, 60.70 % male) from a longitudinal design with three waves spanning six months. Adolescents reported their retrospective childhood emotional maltreatment (ages 6–12) at Time 1, as well as their current levels of neuroticism and self-compassion at Time 1. Problem behaviors were reported at Times 1, 2, and 3. Results showed that childhood emotional maltreatment was positively associated with the initial level of adolescent problem behaviors and negatively associated with its decreasing rate. Notably, neuroticism mediated the relationship between childhood emotional maltreatment and adolescent problem behaviors trajectories (both initial level and decreasing rate), and self-compassion mediated the association between childhood emotional maltreatment and the initial level of adolescent problem behaviors. These findings highlight that preventing and addressing adolescent problem behaviors requires integrated attention to environmental and individual factors.

Suggested Citation

  • Sun, Zhaoxing & Ding, Wan & Li, Jiayi & Xie, Ruibo, 2025. "Retrospective Childhood Emotional Maltreatment and Adolescent Problem Behaviors Trajectories: The Mediating Roles of Neuroticism and Self-Compassion," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 173(C).
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:cysrev:v:173:y:2025:i:c:s0190740925001781
    DOI: 10.1016/j.childyouth.2025.108295
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    1. Li, Fenfang & Godinet, Meripa T., 2014. "The impact of repeated maltreatment on behavioral trajectories from early childhood to early adolescence," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 36(C), pages 22-29.
    2. Yinghan Dong & Fangfang Liu & Yingjie Jiang & Siyuan Wei, 2022. "Neuroticism and Aggressive Behavior among Left-Behind Children: The Mediating Roles of Interpersonal Sensitivity and Bullying Victimization," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(17), pages 1-12, September.
    3. Fantuzzo, John W. & Perlman, Staci M. & Dobbins, Erica K., 2011. "Types and timing of child maltreatment and early school success: A population-based investigation," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 33(8), pages 1404-1411, August.
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    1. Xie, Yunlong & Wang, Zhenxue & Chen, Kun & Gao, Baixue & Hu, Tianyi & He, Wen, 2025. "How do emotional abuse and emotional neglect differ in their influences on aggression in Chinese adolescents? The longitudinal mediation of relative deprivation," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 178(C).

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