Exploring the relationships between emotional incest, inferiority feelings and self coldness in adults

In this study, the relationships between inferiority feelings, emotional incest, and self-coldness are examined. Data were collected from 381 adult individuals aged between 18 and 75 using the Inferiority Feelings Scale, the Self-Compassion Scale, and the Childhood Emotional Incest Scale. Correlation analysis was employed to investigate the relationships among emotional incest, self-coldness, and inferiority feelings. Stepwise regression analysis was used to examine whether emotional incest and self-coldness predict inferiority feelings. To investigate the mediating role of self-coldness in the relationship between emotional incest and inferiority feelings, a hypothetical structural equation model was established and tested with mediation analysis. The results revealed that the three variables are significantly and positively related to each other, and that emotional incest and self-coldness together predict 67% of the variance in inferiority feelings. Additionally, path analysis determined that self-coldness plays a significant mediating role in the relationship between emotional incest and inferiority feelings (χ2/df = 2.93, p<.001; CFI=.98; TLI=.97; RMSEA=.07; SRMR=.03). Based on the findings, several recommendations are made for researchers and practitioners. Keywords: Inferiority feelings, Emotional incest, Self compassion, Self coldness, Adults.