Psychologist shares insights on Samantha Ruth Prabhu’s admission of a ‘particularly difficult relationship’ with her father

“I had a particularly difficult relationship with my father,” Samantha admitted, adding a layer of vulnerability to her story. While she didn’t go into specific details, she acknowledged how those past experiences have shaped not only her as a person but also her professional journey. 

As many women face the emotional and psychological effects of such dynamics growing up, understanding how these relationships influence their self-esteem and adult relationships becomes crucial.

Impact of a difficult relationship with one’s father on woman’s emotional health and self-esteem

Sonal Khangarot, licensed rehabilitation counsellor and psychotherapist, The Answer Room, says, “A difficult relationship with a father can have a profound impact on a woman. This dynamic, if unresolved, can influence the way she navigates future relationships, the level of trust she places in them, and how she perceives her own value.”

A father is often a child’s first model of love and authority, Khangarot states. “According to attachment theory, early attachment experiences shape an individual’s ability to form secure attachments in adulthood. A strained relationship with a father can lead to anxious or avoidant tendencies.”

She adds that a woman exposed to “emotional neglect or criticism” from her father may develop “feelings of inadequacy and low self-worth,” carrying these into adulthood. This can make her feel unworthy of love and dependent on constant external validation to alleviate self-doubt. Such dynamics can further hinder a woman’s resilience and ability to confidently navigate life.

A father is often a child’s first model of love and authority (Source: Freepik)

Effect on a woman’s romantic relationships and her ability to trust others

Psychologically, Khangarot says, the love we are taught to receive as children becomes the benchmark for our future relationships. If a father was emotionally unavailable or inconsistent, a woman may unconsciously seek out similar dynamics in romantic relationships, either replicating this dysfunction or trying to fix the emotional void.

“This can lead to heightened trust issues, where a woman may find it difficult to depend on her partner, fearing rejection, abandonment, or betrayal,” she mentions.

Cultivating healthy relationships 

Self-awareness and self-compassion are key to working through personal challenges and navigating romantic relationships as an adult, suggests Khangarot.

She adds, “This begins with understanding one’s love language and using childhood experiences as lessons to avoid certain dynamics, rather than benchmarks for relationships. Building a strong sense of self-worth, practicing transparent communication, and maintaining healthy boundaries are also crucial.”

Simultaneously, she says, engaging in a healing journey through supportive relationships, mindfulness, and professional counselling can help resolve lingering issues, allowing women to form secure and fulfilling relationships.

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