How Does Childhood Emotional Maltreatment Affect the Development Trajectory of Adolescent Problem Behaviors? The Mediating Role of Self-compassion

Many of the negative consequences suffered by adolescents are largely the result of their problem behavior. In order to clarify the development mechanism of adolescent problem behaviors, this study explored the effect of childhood emotional maltreatment on the developmental trajectory of problem behavior among adolescents and the mediating role of self-compassion. Data were collected from 1,214 Chinese adolescents through electronic questionnaires on childhood emotional maltreatment, self-compassion and problem behaviors in three waves with a six-month interval. This study revealed that childhood emotional maltreatment significantly predicted the development of adolescent problem behaviors. Childhood emotional maltreatment significantly positively predicted the initial level of adolescent problem behaviors and negatively predicted the changing slope of adolescent problem behaviors. Self-compassion played a mediating role between childhood emotional maltreatment and the development of problem behaviors. This provided a new idea for prevention and intervention of adolescent problem behaviors.