Mediating role of parenting styles between emotional abuse and neglect, and the occurrence of EMSs among sexual abuse victims

The goals of the present study were to analyze the relationship of sexual abuse (SA) with emotional abuse (EA) and emotional neglect (EN), the relationship between cognitive schemas and parenting styles, and the mediating role of parenting styles in the occurrence of early maladaptive schemas (EMSs). This study was conducted in a sample of 122 adult clinical subjects who suffered sexual abuse in childhood. Results showed a positive relationship between SA and EA, and a negative relationship between SA and EN. Additionally, the EMSs and emotional deprivation, abuse, failure, social isolation, and vulnerability to harm parenting styles were related to each other and were positively related to EA and negatively related to EN. Finally, emotional deprivation, abuse, defectiveness, and failure parenting styles total and partially mediated in the relationship of EA and EN with EMSs. The present study brings further knowledge to the field regarding traumatic experiences in childhood and how they are related to EMSs and parenting styles.