Basic information | |
|---|---|
| Statements: | 21 |
| Duration: | 3–5 minutes |
| Type: | Self-assessment | Publishing year: | 2024 |
| Instructions: | Lost inner child test is the 21 item quiz, base on 10 point scale. The primary purpose of the quiz is to understand the impact of the lost inner child by focusing on 7 dimensions or facets: Overreaction, Distrust, Perfectionism, Self-Criticism, Restraint, Enmeshment, and Self-Neglect. You are required to indicate your agreement for each statement. |
Lost inner child test is available in the following languages:
Psychodynamics and certain psychological theories emphasize the understanding and addressing of early childhood experiences, leading to emotional healing and personal development. [1] Hoffman, Lois Wladis. “Early childhood experiences and women’s achievement motives.” Carl Jung talked about something called the “personal unconscious,” which means there’s a hidden part of our mind beyond what we’re aware of. This hidden part holds our personal experiences, memories, and emotions that affect how we behave and see things. [2] Honig, Harvey. “Inner dialogue and the psychology of Carl Jung.” Pia Mellody did important work in codependency and trauma recovery. She highlighted how early-life trauma can shape codependent behaviors as we grow up. [3] Mellody, Pia, … Facing codependence.
In the modern psychology perspective, the concept of a “Lost Inner Child” is about recognizing the impact of childhood experiences on adult emotional and psychological well-being. [4] Bradshaw, John. Homecoming: Reclaiming and healing your inner child. Bantam, 2013. In a recent case study validating the Deenz Childhood Trauma Scale (DCTS-28), we discovered that childhood trauma can indeed have a significant impact on both social and psychological well-being.
To measure the impact and access to whether your inner child might carry unresolved emotions we need to access and understand specific patterns and behaviors. The 7 key dimensions Overreaction, Distrust, Perfectionism, Self-Criticism, Restraint, Enmeshment, and Self-Neglect provide a lens through which we can explore and measure the impact of early childhood experiences.
7 key dimensions or facets of a lost inner child.
Overreaction: Overreaction refers to a quick and intense response to a situation or event. People who overreact tend to show heightened expressions of aggression, sadness, or fear. They react impulsively without taking a moment to think about the situation. Overreaction may be the result of unresolved feelings and experiences from the past.
Distrust: Distrust often acts as a defense mechanism, for individuals who experience emotional pain and feelings of insecurity in early childhood, tend to be prone to develop a defensive stance to protect themselves from potential hurt in the future.
Perfectionism: We all feel fear of making mistakes and it is the natural part of human behavior. People with perfectionistic tendencies set excessively high goals but they need to seek approval and have a strong fear of failure. Maladaptive perfectionism is often linked to deep-seated emotional wounds.
Self-Criticism: Sometimes when we make mistakes we tend to feel guilty and may perceive ourselves as inadequate. Self-criticism is often linked to negative core beliefs or early childhood experiences of criticism, rejection, and lack of support.
Restraint: Restraint refers to limiting oneself or holding back from actions, opinions, or behaviors due to the fear of rejection or avoiding conflict. Restraint serves as a protective mechanism to defend oneself in situations that may lead to emotional exposure or hurt. This type of behavior may be rooted in the childhood experiences that may have shaped the approach to relationships and self expression.
Enmeshment: Enmeshment refers to a relationship with weak boundaries or a lack of clear boundaries. The concept of Enmeshment was introduced by Salvador Minuchin described it as a lack of clear emotional and psychological boundaries within relationships. It involves emotional fusion, where the emotions of one person become intertwined with another, and feelings of being overly responsible for the well-being and happiness of others due to the fear of abandonment.
Self-Neglect: As responsible citizens and family members, we sometimes have to make sacrifices for our own needs for the betterment of others. People who consistently prioritize the needs of others over their own well-being might be the result of unmet emotional needs and experiences during early childhood. Consistently prioritizing the needs of others may result in failing to take care of own basic needs and well-being. They may neglect one’s physical, and social well-being for personal safety and fear of rejection.
References
Hoffman, Lois Wladis. “Early childhood experiences and women’s achievement motives.” Journal of Social Issues 28.2 (1972): 129-155. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1540-4560.1972.tb00022.x ↩
Honig, Harvey. “Inner dialogue and the psychology of Carl Jung.” Inner dialogue in daily life: Contemporary approaches to personal and professional development in psychotherapy (2014): 25-53. Google Books ↩
Mellody P, Miller AW, Miller K. Facing codependence. HarperSanFrancisco; 2003 May. Google Scholar ↩
Bradshaw, John. Homecoming: Reclaiming and healing your inner child. Bantam, 2013. Google Books ↩
