Childhood abuse, and mental and physical health: Effects of childhood maltreatment and internal working models on facial expression recognition

Abstract

Childhood abuse is known to have a significant negative impact on social perception. Therefore, abused people have highly negative psychosocial adaptation. In this paper, we focused on facial expression recognition among social cognition and discussed interpersonal relationships of abused people. Childhood abuse encourages excessively sensitive reactions to negative facial expressions and inhibits the establishment of good relationships with others. We have discussed these reactions from the following perspectives: (1) adaptation to severe environments, (2) the lack of learning and biased learning, and (3) problems of attachment. We also examined methods of intervention for correcting problems related to the recognition of facial expressions. Finally, we have discussed possibilities for future research.