From childhood psychological maltreatment to fear of happiness: Exploring the serial mediation of external shame and family communication

Abstract

Background: It is known that childhood psychological maltreatment has an adverse influence on the present and future lives of individuals as well as on their past lives. Individuals exposed to psychological maltreatment avoid positive emotions throughout their lives, and their fear of happiness is triggered. Objective: Considering that other factors may have an effect on this link, this study aims to examine the mediating role of external shame and family communication in the relationship between childhood psychological maltreatment and fear of happiness. Method: In total 390 Turkish individuals participated from 51 different cities in Türkiye. Research data were analyzed by structural equation modeling. Results: The findings of the study indicated that external shame and family communication played a full mediating role in the relationship between childhood psychological maltreatment and fear of happiness. Conclusions: The results revealed that external shame and family communication are important variables to change the beliefs about the happiness of individuals who are exposed to psychological maltreatment. All findings were discussed and interpreted in detail in light of the literature.