Citation

Hartanto A, Yong JC, Lee STH, Ng WQ, Tong EMW. J. Ment. Health 2020; ePub(ePub): ePub.

Affiliation

School of Psychology, National University of Singapore, Singapore.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2020, Informa Healthcare)

DOI

10.1080/09638237.2020.1714005

PMID

31983245

Abstract

Background: Childhood emotional abuse and neglect is linked with a host of adverse outcomes later in life, including depression. However, potential psychological resources that may mitigate the adverse outcomes of childhood emotional abuse and neglect are not well-understood.Aims: Drawing from the insight that having a sense of purpose can help individuals deal with setbacks and difficulties better, we propose that purpose in life can also help sufferers of childhood maltreatment cope more effectively and reduce the onset of depressive symptoms.Methods: Participants were drawn from two large, nationally representative studies comprising a total of 3664 respondents.

PURPOSE in life, childhood emotional abuse and neglect, and depressive symptoms were measured with validated scales.Results: We found convergent evidence that purpose in life attenuates the effect of childhood emotional abuse and neglect on subsequent depressive symptoms across a range of measures of mood and depression.Conclusions: The current study highlights the important role played by purpose in life in building resilience, coping against adverse life events, and psychological well-being.

Language: en

Keywords

Purpose in life; childhood emotional abuse; childhood emotional neglect; depression; psychological well-being