Differential effects associated with self-reported histories of abuse and neglect in a college sample

In an attempt to assess the unique long-term effects of parental physical abuse, verbal abuse, and emotional neglect, a sample of 247 female and 154 male undergraduates was recruited to complete retrospective questionnaires of parental maltreatment as well as current measures of anger (Brief Anger and Aggression Questionnaire), loneliness and social isolation (UCLA Loneliness Scale), and negative self-esteem (Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale). The results of hierarchical multiple regression analyses suggested that parental physical abuse and verbal abuse predicted current anger and that emotional neglect predicted loneliness and social isolation, above and beyond the effects of other types of maltreatment. Paternal maltreatment predicted negative outcomes for men, and both paternal and maternal maltreatment predicted negative outcomes for women. Implications for future research prevention, and intervention are considered.