A groundbreaking study recently published in the journal Dreaming finds that young adults who experienced emotional abuse and neglect during childhood are significantly more likely to suffer frequent nightmares and bad dreams. This research sheds new light on the hidden long-term mental health scars left by emotional maltreatment, and offers important insights for families, educators, and mental health professionals in Thailand and beyond (psypost.org, psycnet.apa.org).
Nightmares and disturbing dreams aren’t just childhood fears—they can be serious symptoms of lingering trauma. For Thai society, where family harmony and emotional well-being are vital yet discussions of emotional health can be challenging, this study underscores the urgent need for greater awareness of the subtle damages caused by emotional abuse. Unlike physical abuse, emotional maltreatment leaves no bruises, but its effects can be just as profound, affecting victims’ psychological health well into adulthood.
The study focused on nearly 850 university students in China, aged 17 to 22, from the provinces of Fujian and Guangdong. Participants completed standardized assessments to measure their experiences of childhood trauma, current tendencies for rumination (habitual dwelling on distressing thoughts), perceived social support, and the frequency of their disturbed dreams—including both nightmares (bad dreams that wake the sleeper) and disturbing dreams that do not cause awakening but leave strong negative feelings (APA PsycNet).
Key findings include that 28% of respondents reported no disturbed dreaming in the previous year, while about 31% had bad dreams less than once per month, and 23% experienced them one to two times monthly. Alarmingly, 2% reported suffering disturbed dreams every night. The research showed a clear association: those who reported more severe emotional abuse or neglect in childhood suffered more frequent nightmares and bad dreams as young adults. The psychological process of rumination emerged as a critical mediator in this relationship. Essentially, emotional abuse and neglect heightened individuals’ tendency to ruminate, and this rumination, in turn, increased the frequency of nightmares.
Furthermore, the study found perceived social support—how much one feels helped or cared for by others—acted as a protective buffer. For young adults who felt supported by friends, family, or community, the link between rumination and disturbing dreams was much weaker. In contrast, those with little perceived support experienced more pronounced negative effects from rumination, leading to more frequent nightmares. As the research team wrote, “emotional abuse and neglect positively predicted disturbed dreaming frequency… Rumination played a mediating role… Perceived social support played a moderating role… As the level of perceived social support increased, the positive prediction effect of rumination on disturbed dreaming frequency gradually weakened.”
This new evidence supports longstanding concerns among experts about the lasting psychological impact of emotional abuse and neglect, which can often go unnoticed in Thai homes, schools, and orphanages. Emotional abuse may involve verbal attacks, humiliation, intimidation, threats, or persistent criticism—behaviors that undermine a child’s self-esteem and sense of security. Emotional neglect, meanwhile, manifests as the failure to offer affection, encouragement, guidance, or even basic attention, leaving children feeling unworthy or unloved (Wikipedia: Emotional Abuse).
Both forms of maltreatment can inflict lifelong wounds. Previous global research has established links to depression, anxiety, low self-confidence, trouble forming relationships, and increased risks of suicide and self-harm (ResearchGate). In Thailand, these symptoms may manifest in university students struggling with sleep, concentration, and social connection—a problem echoed in increasing rates of youth mental distress reported by several local universities and the Ministry of Public Health.
Prominent child psychology experts in Thailand have long warned that the country’s family-centric culture can make it difficult to recognize or discuss emotional abuse, especially when authority and family reputation are prioritized over open communication and mental health. A senior child psychiatrist at a leading Bangkok hospital, speaking on condition of anonymity, commented that “even educated families may misunderstand emotional neglect as discipline or reserve. But when children feel alone or unworthy, it can leave scars no less deep than physical punishment.” The prevalence of authoritarian discipline among older generations in some Thai households, as well as in certain traditional educational settings, may further complicate recognition and intervention.
Additional studies internationally confirm these findings: research in the United States and Europe has consistently linked childhood maltreatment—including emotional abuse—to increased risk of nightmares, PTSD symptoms, and other sleep disturbances in young adults (PubMed: Cumulative Childhood Maltreatment). Neuroscientific studies suggest that emotional trauma during critical periods of childhood brain development can increase sensitivity to stress, disrupt REM sleep, and impair the ability to regulate negative emotions—mechanisms likely underpinning the association between childhood abuse and nightmare frequency (Frontiers in Psychiatry).
The phenomenon of rumination deserves special attention in the Thai context. Many young Thais, especially students and young professionals, report high levels of anxiety and “overthinking” (คิดมาก)—which can translate into rumination. The new study confirms that relentless brooding over past hurts magnifies the impact of early emotional wounds, leading to a vicious cycle of poor sleep and worsening mental health.
However, there are grounds for hope and practical steps forward. The findings highlight the protective role of perceived social support. In Buddhist-majority Thailand, community, family, and temple support networks are historically strong, especially in rural areas. Experts suggest that strengthening these support systems—through school counseling programs, family workshops, and community initiatives—can help shield emotionally vulnerable youth from the worst effects of traumatic memories. Peer support groups, on-campus wellness centers, and online mental health forums can also help at-risk young people find solidarity and guidance.
Thailand’s Ministry of Social Development and Human Security has recently begun rolling out more aggressive awareness-raising campaigns around child abuse, but more must be done to address the invisible nature of emotional maltreatment and break the stigma around seeking help (Bangkok Post). The introduction of mandatory Child Safeguarding policies in schools, as well as the inclusion of social-emotional learning curricula, could equip children and families with tools to recognize, express, and process emotions in healthy ways.
The historical roots of emotional discipline in Thailand—shaped by a blend of Buddhist acceptance, familial hierarchy, and social codes of respect—can make change slow but also offer unique avenues for reform. Several Buddhist temples have launched mindfulness-based programs for youth, and respected social influencers are increasingly sharing their stories of surviving emotional abuse. As the expert from a major Thai university’s psychology department notes, “the first step is awareness. Stories like this study let us see what’s really happening beneath the surface, even in families that look perfect from the outside.”
Looking ahead, broader recognition of emotional maltreatment is crucial. The researchers emphasize that their study, while robust, cannot prove causation; more work remains to confirm whether interventions to reduce rumination and bolster social support can lessen nightmare frequency. Nevertheless, their findings are clear: early emotional wounds are not simply a private family matter but a public health concern with wide-ranging consequences for young Thais as they enter adulthood and the workforce.
For Thai readers, there are several practical takeaways. Families and educators are urged to pay attention to children’s emotional well-being, including less visible signs of neglect or abuse. If a young person is struggling with persistent nightmares, irritability, or “overthinking,” it may be time to gently ask about their home and school environment. Building family bonds and trust, rather than relying solely on discipline, is supported by research as the healthiest way forward.
University administrators and policymakers should strengthen counseling and referral services, reduce stigma around mental health, and include sleep health in student wellness programs. Community leaders and monks can play a critical advocacy role, encouraging compassion and attentive listening. If you or someone you know is suffering, the Samaritans of Thailand, Mental Health Crisis Hotline (1323), or trusted school counselors are available to help.
In summary, this new research highlights that children’s emotional experiences echo long into adulthood, showing up even in their dreams. By fostering awareness and compassion, Thailand can protect its next generation from invisible scars, letting every child—and every dream—rest more peacefully.
References:
- Childhood emotional abuse linked to more frequent nightmares in young adults - PsyPost
- The effect of childhood emotional abuse and neglect on disturbed dreaming frequency—APA PsycNet
- Helpline for child abuse victims - Bangkok Post
- Cumulative childhood maltreatment and its dose-response relation with adult symptomatology—PubMed
- Emotional abuse - Wikipedia
- The effect of childhood emotional abuse and neglect on disturbed dreaming frequency—ResearchGate