Many psychotherapists trace the source of adult psychological problems to difficulties in childhood and treatment from parents. Family systems therapists frame problems in the context of one’s current family situation and family experience growing up. It is also the crux of Freud’s theory. Psychological research has examined parental influence for decades, and a recent study found that verbal abuse during childhood was moderately related to adult depression and anger.

From a cognitive theoretical view, as children develop they are constantly developing views, beliefs, and networks of information about themselves and the world. If messages from important others (parents, teachers, peers, etc) are often negative from these early stages (no one likes you, you will fail, you can’t do anything right, etc), they become parts of these networks, and new information is built around them, particularly when they are reinforced. This can then become the source of difficulty in adulthood, and something many people seek counseling for.

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    Last reviewed: By John M. Grohol, Psy.D. on 8 Aug 2006
    Published on PsychCentral.com. All rights reserved.