Emotional Neglect Can Lead To Behavioral And Psychological Development Problems, According To Research

Dec 19, 2018 by apost team

Have you ever met someone who was 30 years old but still acted like they were 15? Acting like you are an age that is different from your chronological age is not that uncommon.

And the people who do this may actually have something else in common as well.

A study conducted in 2013 by the College of Family Physicians of Canada found:

"Child abuse has serious consequences for child development and family health throughout the life cycle, and it might be detected in the family practice office."

As you are growing up, it's natural for you to have different needs at different ages. Behavioral happens with both the need for love and for attention. If someone grew up with parents who weren't reliable or dismissed emotions at a young age, that person didn't get the emotional support they needed to grow up healthy.

The research went on to explain that nurturing and attachment with one's caregiver are crucial for the child to be able to have various emotional skills such as coping with stress, having nurturing relationships and to regulating emotions later in life.

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People with stunted emotional growth feel helpless and vulnerable in close, intimate relationships. They are very difficult to get close with. The results can be different for each person who was neglected as a child because they are individuals raised in unique circumstances.

• If a parent shows doubt to a child's abilities, especially at a young age, he or she will be hesitant to try new things out of fear of failure.
• If a parent is always letting a child down, that child won't trust people as they grow up.
• If you don't let a child do things for him or herself, your child will become overly dependent on you. This can lead to self-shame due to the ongoing dependence.

These are only three things on a very long list. Each item on the list can leave a person stuck at an emotional age much younger than they are. Most don't realize they are stuck. It can take a lot to identify the problem and overcome it.

Don't be mistaken. People can be emotionally stunted and still lead an outwardly successful life. They just operate at a much younger emotional age. It can run from mild to extreme, depending on the individual and the circumstances that caused the situation. Trauma also place a role quite often.

For those dealing with this type of emotional issue, there are strategies that can help address the problems and eliminate them. It's important to identify what is lacking and to give it to yourself. You need to be aware of your emotions and identify your needs. Taking the steps necessary to give yourself what is lacking will have a profound effect.

What did you think of the finding of the research? Do you agree with them? We want to know. Pass this on to any of your friends you find might relate to the subject.

Our content is created to the best of our knowledge, yet it is of general nature and cannot in any way substitute an individual consultation by your doctor. Your health is important to us!