Date of Award

5-2025

Document Type

Project

Degree Name

Master of Social Work

Department

School of Social Work

First Reader/Committee Chair

Caroline Lim

Abstract

ABSTRACT

Background: Childhood emotional abuse is a severe form of maltreatment that can be as damaging as more visible kinds of abuse. It is defined as any action or inaction by a caregiver that hinders a child's emotional development. This type of abuse can take the form of humiliation, belittlement, rejection, or neglect, leaving lasting emotional scars. Objective: This study proposes to better understand the long-lasting effects of childhood emotional abuse by investigating the connections between the degree of emotional abuse and ensuing mental health issues. Methods: Using a cross-sectional design, this study proposes to gather quantitative data on the mental health of individuals who experienced childhood emotional abuse. Validated measures, specifically the Depression Anxiety and Stress Scale (DASS-21) and the Childhood Trauma Questionnaire (CTQ), will be used. The study will focus on recruiting Latino/a volunteers to fill a gap in the research. The study will use social media platforms to recruit participants, specifically targeting those who have been abused in various ways. Individuals interested in participating in the study will be invited to complete the questionnaire online. Conclusion: Findings are predicted to highlight the important need for culturally informed interventions and to influence social work practices aimed at helping affected individuals. This proposal aims to promote preventive actions among at-risk groups and increase awareness of the frequently disregarded effects of emotional abuse.

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