The Mediating Role of Self-Compassion and Cognitive-Behavioral Avoidance in the Relationship Between Childhood Emotional Neglect and Psychological Symptoms

Positive relationships have been established between childhood emotional neglect and psychological symptoms; however, the mechanisms underlying this relationship are not fully understood. Self-compassion acts as a protective factor against the development of these psychological symptoms. Cognitive-behavioral avoidance is considered a significant risk factor in the development of psychological symptoms. Therefore, the aim of this study is to examine the sequential mediating roles of self-compassion and cognitive-behavioral avoidance in the relationship between childhood emotional neglect and psychological symptoms. Data for the study were collected from university students aged 18-30 using the Childhood Trauma Questionnaire, Self-Compassion Scale, Cognitive-Behavioral Avoidance Scale, and Brief Symptom Inventory, both online and in-person. Descriptive statistics and correlation analyses were conducted using IBM SPSS v.4, while the entire mediation model was tested using the PROCESS MACRO (Model 6). According to the results of the correlation analysis, childhood emotional neglect is negatively correlated with self-compassion and positively correlated with cognitive-behavioral avoidance and psychological symptoms. Self-compassion is negatively correlated with cognitive-behavioral avoidance and psychological symptoms, while cognitive-behavioral avoidance is positively correlated with psychological symptoms. Finally, it was found that self-compassion and cognitive-behavioral avoidance play meaningful sequential mediating roles in the relationship between childhood emotional neglect and psychological symptoms. The findings are discussed within the relevant literature, and suggestions for future research and mental health professionals are provided.