Loneliness and Childhood Exposure to Domestic Violence among Adolescents and Adults with High Fear of Intimacy
Abstract
AbstractBackground: Previous research has highlighted the adverse effects of childhood exposure to domestic violence (CEDV), and with fear of intimacy and feelings of loneliness as key psychological constructs intertwined with these experiences. Understanding the complex interplay among fear of intimacy, loneliness, and CEDV contributes to addressing the multifaceted challenges arising from early trauma and shaping interventions.
Aims:To investigate the relationships between fear of intimacy, loneliness, and childhood exposure to domestic violence (CEDV) among adolescents and young adults.
Setting and Design:This is a cross-sectional observational study. A purposive sample of 215 individuals (102 female) from the Hazara division, aged 13 to 35 years (M=22.25, SD=4.23), were selected based on a fear of intimacy cut-off score.
Methods and Material: Instruments included the CEDV scale, Fear of Intimacy Scale, and UCLA Loneliness Scale. Data collection employed a paper-based survey.
Statistical analysis:Data was analysed using SPSS version 23. Descriptive (measures of central tendency and variability) andpsychometric (item-total correlations, Cronbach's alpha) analyses were carried out. In addition, multiple regression analysis examining the relationship between predictor and outcome variables and between-subjects analyses (independent sample t-tests) across age and genderwere also employed.
Results: The study reveals satisfactory alpha reliability (above .70) for the above instruments, alongside a positive correlation among them. Through multiple regression, it was determined that both loneliness (β = .192**, t = 2.91, p = .004) and child exposure to domestic violence (β = .344***, t = 5.23, p = .000) positively predict fear of intimacy, with the model explaining 18% of its variance. Further analysis using t-tests shows slight to moderate differences in fear of intimacy and CEDV scores between adolescents and young adults, and substantial gender differences in both Fear of Intimacy and CEDV scales.
Conclusion: Findings provide insights into the long-term impacts of CEDV on fear of intimacy and loneliness. The implications of these findings extend to shape clinical interventions and prompt social considerations.
Keywords:Childhood exposure to domestic violence, loneliness, fear of intimacy, developmental trajectories, psychosocial impacts.
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