Emotional Abuse and Neglect, Depression: A Moderated Mediation Model of Neuroticism and Psychological Resilience.

OBJECTIVE

There were associations between emotional abuse and neglect (EAN) and depression, but few studies had tested potential mechanisms underlying these relationships. We aimed to provide insights on how (the mediation role of neuroticism), and under what conditions (the moderator role of psychological resilience), led to a higher level of depression.

METHODS

This study was a cross-sectional study that used a random cluster sampling method. We randomly selected 3,993 participants from four junior middle schools in northern city of China. Participants were asked to complete four self-reported questionnaires, including the Childhood Trauma Questionnaire, Children Depression Inventory-Short Form, Chinese Big Five Personality Inventory Brief Version, and Chinese Resilience Scale.

RESULTS

The results showed that neuroticism mediated the associations between EAN and depression. In addition, the mediating effect of neuroticism was moderated by psychological resilience (p<0.05).

CONCLUSION

EAN and neuroticism could have an adverse impact on depression, and psychological resilience could alleviate these negative effects as a moderator. Our model suggested psychological resilience could be a particularly effective intervention point for victims of EAN.