Childhood psychological maltreatment subtypes and depression among Chinese college students: the role of self-compassion and perceived negative attention bias

Self-compassion and perceived negative attention bias played distinct roles in the association between childhood psychological maltreatment, its subtypes, and depression. A serial mediating role of self-compassion and perceived negative attention bias was observed in the associations between overall psychological maltreatment, emotional abuse, and depression. In contrast, in the case of emotional neglect, only self-compassion served as a mediator. These findings enlighten us that psychological interventions enhancing self-compassion and reducing negative attention bias may help mitigate depression in college students exposed to childhood psychological maltreatment, particularly emotional abuse. Conversely, interventions focused on increasing self-compassion may be more effective in reducing depression in those exposed to emotional neglect.