Associations Between Childhood Neglect and Depressive Symptoms: The Mediating Effect of Avoidant Coping.

ABSTRACT: Background: Individuals with a history of childhood neglect may be vulnerable to develop depression, as they may more often use avoidant strategies to cope with the stressors. This study examined (1) whether a history of childhood neglect was associated with higher levels of depressive symptoms and (2) whether avoidant coping behaviors mediated this association. Methods: In total, N = 2245 German adults (mean age = 41.1 years, age range = 18-82 years, 70.2% female) were recruited from the general population between June and September 2020 during the COVID-19 pandemic. Childhood neglect (Adverse Childhood Experience Questionnaire [ACE]), depressive symptoms (Patient Health Questionnaire [PHQ-9]), and three avoidant coping behaviors (substance use, behavioral disengageme

SUBMITTER: Eggert L 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11918893 | biostudies-literature | 2024

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature