The Psychological Impact of Emotional and Verbal Abuse on Japanese Adolescents:

A Structural Equation Modeling Approach

Abstract

Background: Emotional and verbal abuse are damaging forms of child maltreatment that often go unnoticed in educational and policy contexts, particularly in Japan. Although child abuse consultations have increased significantly in recent years, emotional abuse remains difficult to detect and is underrepresented in empirical research.

Objective: This study investigates the psychological impact of emotional and verbal abuse experienced during early childhood on Japanese adolescents.

Participants and Setting: The study analyzed data from 824 junior high school students in Japan, drawn from a 2001 survey conducted by the Benesse Educational Research and Development Institute.

Methods: Structural equation modeling (SEM) was used to test five hypotheses concerning the relationships between emotional/verbal abuse and three psychological outcomes: self-confidence, sensitivity to others’ evaluations, and depressive tendencies.

Results: All five hypotheses were supported. Emotional abuse was associated with lower self-confidence and greater sensitivity to social evaluation. Verbal abuse had stronger negative effects than general emotional abuse. Perceived parental rejection was significantly related to depressive symptoms.

Conclusions: The findings underscore the long-term psychological harm of emotional and verbal abuse in childhood. They highlight the urgent need for increased recognition and prevention of emotional abuse in Japan and offer valuable evidence for educators and mental health professionals working with emotionally vulnerable youth.