Transdiagnostic Mechanisms of Emotional Dysregulation and Self-Criticism Between Maternal Invalidation and Internalizing Symptoms: A Parallel Mediation Model

The parent-child relationship in childhood is significant in the child's development of psychopathology in later life, especially the mother who is often the primary caregiver. While invalidation is often associated with Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD), limited research has examined its association with other forms of psychopathology, specifically in Asia and there is a further gap examining its underlying mechanisms. This study examined the effect of maternal invalidation on various internalizing symptoms and whether difficulties in emotional regulation and self-criticism mediated the association between childhood invalidation and internalizing symptoms. Using a sample of Singaporean adults ( N = 359), results revealed that maternal invalidation is significantly associated with symptoms of depression, social anxiety, and eating disorder. Mediation analyses revealed that emotional dysregulation and self-criticism fully mediated the association between maternal invalidation and internalizing symptoms. Overall, the present paper presents a parallel mediation model that delineates the influence of maternal invalidation on various internalizing symptoms through emotional dysregulation and self-criticism, which has been supported in depression and social anxiety disorder only. These findings provide empirical support that emphasizes the non-specificity of invalidation to BPD and the importance of emotional dysregulation and self-criticism in various internalizing symptoms. The implications and limitations are also discussed.