Childhood emotional maltreatment and adult psychopathology: Evidence for emotion regulation as a mediating mechanism

CEA and CEN represent substantial risk markers for mental health problems. The present findings indicate that deficits in emotion regulation-particularly reduced cognitive reappraisal-partially mediate this risk. Differences between CEA and CEN suggest divergent underlying processes, which is important for tailoring interventions. The results highlight the central role of emotion regulation as a target for reducing the long-term mental health consequences of CEM and enhancing resilience. Although direct comparisons with physical forms of maltreatment are beyond the scope of this study, the robust and independent effects of emotional maltreatment suggest that psychological violence should be considered at least as relevant for prevention and clinical care as physical abuse.