Influence of Self-esteem on the link between Emotional Abuse and Obsessive Compulsive Disorder Symptoms among Adolescents

Abstract

The present study attempted to determine the emotional abuse and symptoms of obsessive-compulsive disorder among adolescents with the moderating role of self-esteem. The sample of 400 male and female adolescents with age range 14 to 18 years (M= .50, SD =.501) was obtained from various public and private schools and colleges of Rawalpindi through convenience sampling technique. Emotional abuse questionnaire (EAQ) (Momtaz et al.,2022), Rosenberg self -esteem scale (M. Rosenberg.,1965) and Obsessive-Compulsive Inventory– Revised (OCI-R) (Foa, Kozak, Salkovskis, Coles & Amir 1998) were used in the study. Results revealed emotional abuse positively correlated obsessive-compulsive disorder symptoms in adolescents (. Moreover, self – esteem doesn’t significantly moderate the relationship between emotional abuse and obsessive-compulsive disorder symptoms (b = -0.006, p = .101). This research emphasizes how critical it is to identify emotional abuse and its lasting effects on mental health. When evaluating well-being, mental health practitioners and educators should consider emotional abuse as a critical component, particularly for those who are reluctant to admit its impact. Self-esteem-boosting interventions may lessen its detrimental effects and improve mental health results.