Childhood Rejection Linked to Adult Fear of Intimacy, Study Shows.
A study published in Personal Relationships has found that adults who recall more memories of parental rejection during childhood are more likely to experience fear of intimacy in their adult relationships. The study supports the interpersonal acceptance-rejection theory (IPARTheory) that childhood experiences of parental rejection often result in diminished self-esteem and self-assurance, emotional detachment, and other personality characteristics that impede the capacity to establish deep emotional connections or intimate relationships with significant others. The findings suggest that interventions addressing childhood rejection and psychological maladjustment may effectively reduce fear of intimacy.