Findings from Stanford Highlight Strong Correlation Between Childhood Neglect and Adult Emotional Challenges

Stanford University scientists have spearheaded a comprehensive meta-analysis, shedding light on the significant connection between childhood maltreatment, specifically emotional and physical neglect, and the development of alexithymia in adulthood. Alexithymia, a characteristic that impedes the ability to recognize and articulate emotions, has been tied to difficulties in social interactions and the occurrence of psychological disorders. It underscores the urgent need for enhanced therapeutic strategies to aid adults in comprehending and managing their emotions.

For many people, the struggle to put their emotions into words is a common issue. This is a symptom of alexithymia, which translates literally to “lacking language for emotions.” Individuals with alexithymia frequently encounter difficulties in identifying and communicating their feelings.

The manifestation of this trait can pose serious drawbacks to their social and romantic relationships. Due to their probable struggle with interpreting social cues, individuals with alexithymia may fail to understand or react appropriately to the emotions of others. Past research has suggested that childhood maltreatment might play a crucial role in the development of alexithymia later in life.

A groundbreaking meta-analysis recently featured in Psychological Bulletin, directed by Stanford University researchers, is the inaugural study to consolidate empirical data on the connection between adult alexithymia and all instances of child maltreatment.

Anat Talmon, the senior co-author of the study, stated, “We can now confidently assert that there is a substantial correlation between childhood maltreatment and alexithymia.” Talmon supervised the research as a postdoctoral research fellow at Stanford University and is currently an assistant professor with the Paul Baerwald School of Social Work and Social Welfare at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem.

The team scrutinized 78 different studies, which provided insights into potential instances of child maltreatment and levels of adult alexithymia. The study included a total of 36,141 participants and was carried out by the Stanford Psychophysiology Laboratory, in collaboration with the Hebrew University and Adam Mickiewicz University.

Julia Ditzer, the lead author of the study, pointed out, “One in every four children worldwide suffers from maltreatment, but these cases often go unnoticed.” Ditzer is a graduate researcher at Stanford University and a Ph.D. candidate in psychology at the Technical University of Dresden.

Three forms of child maltreatment – emotional neglect, emotional abuse, and physical neglect – were identified as powerful predictors of alexithymia. Meanwhile, sexual abuse and physical abuse, though related to alexithymia, were less predictive.

When describing the nature of maltreatment, the researchers explained that emotional neglect and abuse often go unnoticed, making it difficult for victims or their relatives to identify and seek help. However, such experiences can be severely damaging for a child, and the inability to recognize one’s emotions can subsequently lead to alexithymia.

Approximately 10% of the general population exhibit clinically significant levels of alexithymia, with a higher prevalence among men than women. High levels of alexithymia have been linked to various psychological disorders, including autism, depression, and schizophrenia.

The exact relationship between alexithymia and child maltreatment, two transdiagnostic risk factors, remains to be deciphered, as per James Gross, Ernest R. Hilgard Professor of Psychology at the School of Humanities and Sciences.

To understand the association between alexithymia and child maltreatment, it is essential to consider the influential role caregivers play. Caregivers are generally the primary emotional models for children. However, they are also the usual perpetrators of child maltreatment. Maltreated children often grow up without exposure to positive coping strategies during stressful situations and fewer opportunities to express emotions appropriately.

In response to adversity, maltreated childrenmay resort to aggressive or violent behavior or exhibit emotional numbness and dissociation. Prior research has shown a strong correlation between childhood dissociation and emotional abuse or the lack of caregivers’ availability.

In some instances, maltreatment can be less conspicuous. For instance, caregivers struggling with chronic illness, clinical depression, or other issues may unintentionally neglect to provide the emotional support that children require. “People living in such conditions might not even recognize it as maltreatment,” stated Talmon.

The authors of the study emphasize the need for improved therapeutic interventions for adults suffering from alexithymia. Those undergoing treatment for conditions such as depression or PTSD may also exhibit high alexithymia scores, complicating their therapy and introspective abilities.

Treatment for adults with alexithymia typically aims to assist them in recognizing, understanding, and expressing their emotions more effectively. “To be able to regulate your feelings, you first need to recognize and understand them,” explained Talmon.

It is important for family and friends to understand that people with alexithymia often struggle to identify and communicate their feelings, as well as to empathize with others. “They are not trying to be difficult,” clarified Ditzer, “They just genuinely grapple with these issues.”

Citation: “Child Maltreatment and Alexithymia: A Meta-Analytic Review” by Julia Ditzer, Eileen Y. Wong, Rhea N. Modi, Maciej Behnke, James J. Gross and Anat Talmon, 2023, Psychological Bulletin.
DOI: 10.1037/bul0000391

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More about Childhood Maltreatment and Adult Alexithymia

• Stanford University
• Psychological Bulletin
• Understanding Alexithymia
• Childhood Maltreatment and its Consequences
• Paul Baerwald School of Social Work and Social Welfare at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem