8 behaviors of women who were emotionally neglected by their mothers, says psychology

I’ve always been intrigued by the subtle ways our childhood experiences can shape how we think, feel, and act as adults. One of my close friends used to worry constantly that she was “too much” for people. If she got excited about a new idea, she’d immediately hold back and question whether she was being annoying.

When we talked about it, she shared that her mother often dismissed her feelings growing up. Whenever she tried to express herself, she was told to “toughen up” or “stop being dramatic.”

This got me digging into the research behind emotional neglect in childhood—especially how it affects girls who later become women.

In this post, I want to explore eight behaviors that women may display if they experienced maternal emotional neglect. My hope is that shining a light on these patterns can foster more compassion and understanding.

1. They have trouble trusting their own feelings

I’ve noticed that many women who grew up without consistent emotional support from their mothers seem to second-guess their own emotional responses. They might feel sad, hurt, or excited, but they immediately wonder if they’re “allowed” to feel that way.

I’ve had conversations with women who say they were told they were “overreacting” as children, so now they question every emotion.

Over time, this self-doubt can become a habit. Instead of recognizing a gut feeling as a valid signal, they brush it aside or look for someone else to confirm it’s acceptable. It’s like they never learned that their inner world is worth paying attention to.

This uncertainty often carries into adult relationships and work settings, where they might rely heavily on external validation. For me, acknowledging that our emotions are legitimate—no matter how big or small—is a crucial first step in healing from any type of emotional neglect.

2. They struggle with close relationships

Another behavior I’ve seen is a pattern of difficulty in forming and maintaining close relationships. If a woman was often dismissed by her mother, she may have learned early on that people aren’t reliable sources of support.

As an adult, she might keep an emotional distance—even with romantic partners or friends—because she fears being let down again.

It can be something as simple as taking forever to open up about personal struggles or constantly making jokes instead of showing vulnerability. On the flip side, some women might form attachments too quickly, hoping to fill that emotional gap they felt growing up.

In either scenario, the underlying issue is trust. When you haven’t had a dependable maternal figure who validated your feelings, you might unconsciously assume others won’t truly be there for you either. Recognizing this dynamic can be painful, but it also paves the way for building deeper, healthier relationships.

3. They feel unworthy of attention

I’ve met women who genuinely feel uncomfortable receiving attention or praise. They might shrug off compliments with, “Oh, it’s nothing,” or “Anyone could do that.” In my experience, this goes back to a core feeling of unworthiness that takes root when a mother fails to celebrate her child’s accomplishments or feelings.

Instead of learning to take pride in their achievements, they grow up believing they aren’t “enough.” When good things happen, they suspect it’s luck or someone else’s generosity rather than a result of their own merits.

This mindset, known as the “impostor phenomenon” in some circles, can seep into careers, friendships, and personal passions. According to Dr. Carol Dweck’s research on mindsets, acknowledging your worth and capabilities is key to developing a healthier perspective on success.

I like to remind people that we can relearn these beliefs about ourselves—even if it means practicing daily affirmations or celebrating small wins until it feels natural to accept praise.

4. They avoid conflict at all costs

Some women who missed out on a supportive maternal presence avoid conflict like the plague. Whenever disagreements arise, they might back down immediately or apologize even when they’re not in the wrong.

In my coaching work, I’ve seen how this conflict avoidance can be a coping strategy. If you grew up feeling that your feelings and needs caused friction, you might think staying silent keeps everything calm.

But pushing aside real concerns or differences of opinion often leads to resentment and misunderstandings down the line. It’s challenging to break this pattern. I know a few women who had to practice something as simple as saying “I disagree” in safe environments—like with a trusted friend—just to normalize asserting themselves.

It’s about recognizing that conflict, when handled respectfully, can be a gateway to deeper understanding, not a threat to the relationship.

5. They feel responsible for other people’s emotions

Growing up with a mother who didn’t tend to their emotional needs, some women learn to be hypersensitive to everyone else’s feelings. They become the caretakers in their friend group or family. While being empathetic is wonderful, there’s a difference between empathy and feeling like it’s your job to “fix” everyone else’s problems.

One friend told me she was always expected to cheer her mom up whenever her mom felt stressed or upset. As an adult, she found herself overcompensating by trying to make sure everyone around her was comfortable, often at the expense of her own well-being.

Recognizing that each person is accountable for their own emotional state can be liberating. It doesn’t mean you stop caring; it just means you step back from constantly feeling like it’s your role to manage everyone’s mood.

6. They overanalyze feedback

I’m a big believer in growth and continuous improvement, but there’s a difference between reflecting on feedback and obsessing over it.

Many women who dealt with emotional neglect tell me they interpret the slightest critique as a sign of total failure. If a coworker mentions a small typo in a report, they might read it as “I’m incompetent” or “They hate working with me.”

This overanalysis can be exhausting. Instead of using feedback constructively, it becomes an emotional spiral. When we’ve grown up without consistent emotional support, we might cling to external evaluations for self-worth.

Brené Brown often talks about how shame can make us believe we are inherently flawed. In my own life, learning to distinguish between healthy self-reflection and destructive rumination was a game-changer. It’s about understanding that feedback is just information, not a verdict on your personal value.

7. They downplay their needs

“I’m fine” can become a default response for women who never had their needs acknowledged. I’ve heard so many stories of women who felt guilty for wanting anything for themselves—time, attention, affection, or space. Instead, they pour energy into everyone else’s priorities, leaving little for themselves.

This behavior can show up in simple day-to-day interactions—agreeing to extra tasks at work, saying yes to social plans they’re too tired for, or ignoring signs of burnout. In the long run, constantly sidelining your own needs leads to deep dissatisfaction.

One approach I’ve seen work is scheduling “non-negotiable me-time” on the calendar, even if it’s just 15 minutes to breathe, journal, or stretch. It’s a gentle reminder that you deserve nourishment too, and it helps break the habit of placing yourself dead last.

8. They have difficulty setting boundaries

Boundaries are a cornerstone of healthy relationships, but they can be especially tough for women who didn’t experience emotional safety in childhood. If your mother repeatedly pushed or ignored your emotional limits, you might not have learned how to say “no” or “enough” without feeling intense guilt or fear.

I remember talking to a colleague who felt uneasy telling her roommate she needed some quiet time. She worried her request would be seen as rejection. Deep down, she feared being abandoned if she made any demands at all.

Learning to assert boundaries takes practice and often involves uncomfortable conversations. Yet, boundaries protect everyone involved by fostering respect and clarity. Whether it’s asking for more personal space or stating you can’t stay late at work every day, drawing a line is an essential act of self-care.

Conclusion

Exploring these eight behaviors has shown me just how deeply early emotional experiences can affect adult life. When a woman grows up not feeling seen or heard by her mother, she may carry that sense of “invisibility” into her relationships, career, and personal well-being.

The good news is that awareness can be a powerful catalyst for change. Even recognizing one or two of these traits can open the door to new conversations, healthier boundaries, and more authentic connections.

I know that shifting ingrained patterns isn’t easy. It often involves unlearning old assumptions and building new emotional “muscles.” Whether it’s by seeking therapy, confiding in close friends, or simply reflecting through journaling, there are many ways to begin healing.

I believe that no one is defined solely by their past. We each have the ability to nurture the emotional warmth and understanding we may not have received growing up—and that can be a truly transformative journey.

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