Childhood Neglect and Loneliness: The Unique Roles of Parental Figure and Child Sex

Abstract

There is a well-supported link between experiences of childhood neglect and levels of loneliness in adulthood, with emotional neglect from caregivers being predictive of loneliness. However, current research has yet to explore additional, sex-linked factors that influence this relationship. This study investigates the impact of different neglect types on loneliness, with a focus on the parental figure involved and the child’s sex. It was hypothesized that men who experienced emotional neglect from their fathers would score higher in loneliness compared to other parent–child combinations. The findings showed no significant differences in father–son relationships within the context of emotional neglect. However, there was a significant difference in father–son relationships in the context of supervision neglect and loneliness outcomes, relative to all other parent combinations. Consistent with existing research, emotional neglect emerged as the strongest predictor of loneliness. Additionally, sex differences were observed, with women experiencing greater levels of loneliness stemming from neglect compared to men. These findings help address the knowledge gap present in childhood neglect research, with the goal of understanding the long-term consequences of adverse childhood experiences.