The Impact of Childhood Trauma Subtypes on Depression Severity: A Structural Equation Model Analysis

Background: Childhood trauma is a recognized risk factor for major depressive disorder (MDD); however, fewer studies have examined how specific trauma subtypes relate to the severity of depressive symptoms. This study aimed to investigate both the overall impact of childhood trauma and the differential effects of trauma subtypes on depression severity in individuals diagnosed with MDD. Methods: Sixty-five participants (64.6% female) diagnosed with MDD according to DSM-5 criteria completed the Childhood Trauma Questionnaire (CTQ) and the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI). Structural equation modeling (SEM) was conducted to examine the predictive relationship between childhood trauma and depression severity. Results: Emotional neglect was the most prevalent trauma subtype and showed the strongest association with depression severity. SEM analysis revealed a strong predictive relationship between childhood trauma and depressive symptoms (standardized regression coefficient = 0.70). While emotional abuse, physical abuse, and physical neglect were also positively correlated with depression severity, no significant association was found for sexual abuse. Conclusion: The findings highlight the profound impact of emotional neglect on depression severity in individuals with MDD. Early screening for emotional trauma and trauma-informed interventions are critical for mitigating the long-term psychological consequences of childhood adversity. Future research should further investigate the moderating roles of social support and psychological resilience. This article’s short podcast by AI (English) This article’s short podcast by AI (Turkish)