Don't get too close to me: depressed and non-depressed survivors of child maltreatment prefer larger comfortable interpersonal distances towards strangers

Background Childhood maltreatment (CM) is frequently linked to interpersonal problems such as difficulties in social relationships, loneliness, and isolation. These difficulties might partly stem from troubles regulating comfortable interpersonal distance (CIPD). Objective We experimentally investigated whether CM manifests in larger CIPD and whether all subtypes of CM (i.e., physical, emotional, or sexual abuse and physical or emotional neglect) affect CIPD. Methods Using the stop-distance method (i.e. a team member approached participants until the latter indicated discomfort), we assessed CIPD in 84 adults with a self-reported history of CM (24 with depressive symptoms) and 57 adult controls without a history of CM (without depressive symptoms). Results Adults with CM showed a larger CIPD (Mdn = 86 cm) than controls (Mdn = 68 cm), and CIPD was largest for those with CM combined with current depressive symptoms (Mdn = 145 cm) (p's < .047). In the latter group, all subtypes of CM were associated with a larger CIPD compared to controls (p's < .045). In the CM group without depressive symptoms, only those with emotional abuse (p = .040) showed a larger CIPD than controls. Conclusions These results add to findings of differential socio-emotional long-term consequences of CM, depending upon the subtype of CM. Future research should explore whether a larger CIPD has a negative impact on social functioning in individuals exposed to CM, particularly in those with depressive symptoms.

Automated summary

This study experimentally investigated whether childhood maltreatment (CM) is associated with larger comfortable interpersonal distance (CIPD) and whether different subtypes of CM have varying effects on CIPD. The results showed that adults with CM had a larger CIPD than the control group, and CIPD was largest in those with CM and current depressive symptoms. Among the CM group without depressive symptoms, emotional abuse was the only subtype associated with larger CIPD. The findings suggest that different subtypes of CM may have differential long-term socio-emotional consequences.