Table 5.

Critical Findings.

1. This is the first systematic review and meta-analyses that looks at the long-term effects of CEA and CEN on adult mental health

2. CEA and CEN are significantly associated with adult PD, eating disorder, depression, anxiety, suicidal ideation or attempts, substance abuse, and other psychological symptoms

3. Clinical populations are more likely than non-clinical populations to have experienced CEA or CEN during childhood

4. The associations between CEA/CEN and adult mental health remain significant after adjusting for other types of abuse

5. Moderators such as publication year, region, and study methodological quality did not affect the associations between CEA/CEN and adult mental health problems

6. There is a consistency of findings in associations between studies conducted in European countries, the United States, and Asia, suggesting that the impact of CEA/CEN on adult mental health is universal

7. Studies conducted on the Chinese populations showed consistent results with English studies.

Note. CEA = childhood emotional abuse; CEN = childhood emotional neglect; PD = personality disorder.