Emotional Failure in Women and Its Intergenerational Implications -

The so-called emotional failure in women—conceptualized as the accumulation of adverse affective experiences, such as marital dissolutions, repeated breakups, or experiences of abandonment—is recognized in the scientific literature as a critical factor in psychological vulnerability. Numerous studies in clinical psychology and psychiatry have shown that the disruption of significant relationships can provoke disturbances in emotional, cognitive, and behavioral functioning, which tend to persist in the absence of timely therapeutic interventions.

According to guidelines from the American Psychiatric Association, the effects derived from the dissolution of family relationships are often associated with phenomena such as post-breakup stress, anxiety, cognitive distortions, loss of self-efficacy, and alterations in attachment systems. These effects do not resolve spontaneously; they require deliberate processes of emotional restructuring, including emotional literacy, grief processing, re-signification of the experience, and the development of adaptive coping skills.

Evidence from systemic psychology suggests that when these experiences are not addressed through professional support or structured self-care practices, dysfunctional patterns may become entrenched, which not only compromise individual well-being but can also be transmitted intergenerationally. This phenomenon, known as the intergenerational transmission of trauma, implies that children may internalize relational models based on insecurity, avoidance, or emotional dysregulation, even if they have not directly experienced the traumatic events.

Additionally, some research in sociology and life-cycle psychology indicates that the decision not to have children, when originating from adverse affective experiences, may be associated with identity conflicts, perceived relational incapacity, and difficulties in forming meaningful relationships. These factors can impact a woman’s self-concept, sense of agency, and overall life satisfaction.

In this context, psychoeducational intervention and professional support are essential. The literature on resilience and mental health emphasizes that acquiring emotional regulation skills, understanding one’s own affective narratives, and restructuring relational patterns significantly contribute to subjective well-being and the prevention of transgenerational effects.

My name is Teresa Ruiz Pedersen, from International Family Coaching. From an integrative approach, our work focuses on strengthening the socio-emotional capacities of women who seek to build functional family relationships and promote healthy dynamics within their family systems. If you are experiencing emotional difficulties and wish to access theoretical and practical tools to improve your emotional regulation and its impact on your environment, we invite you to get in touch.

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