"Never grow up" sounds romantic in theory—and maintaining an imagination and willingness to play into adulthood can certainly serve you and others well. However, acting like an adult emotionally—AKA developing emotional maturity—is critical."At its core, emotional maturity is about self-awareness, accountability and compassion in how you move through life and relationships," says Dr. Stefanie Mazer, Psy.D, a psychologist in Florida.People who haven't emotionally matured can struggle with all of the above and more. Emotional immaturity transcends sex and gender identity. However, women may be especially prone to showing their emotional immaturity, often without realizing it, through certain behaviors.Awareness is the first step toward addressing these issues and developing more authentic relationships with yourself and others. To help, we have 13 behaviors that women who haven't matured emotionally often display—maybe without even realizing it—according to psychologists.Related: Men Who Haven't Matured Emotionally Usually Display These 10 Behaviors Without Realizing It, Psychologists Say
13 Behaviors Common in Women Who Haven't Matured Emotionally, Psychologists Say
2. Struggles to handle criticism
Criticism hits different when everything is personal."Emotionally immature women may take feedback as a personal attack and get defensive instead of taking it as a chance to learn and grow," Dr. Mazer points out.Related: ‘Why Is Everyone So Mean to Me?’ 8 Common Reasons—and What To Do About It, According to Psychologists
4. Black and white thinking
There's little room for nuance in people who aren't in touch with their emotions."Emotionally immature individuals... tend to see people or situations as all good or all bad," says Dr. Janine O’Brien, Psy.D., a licensed clinical psychologist and owner of Dr. Janine O’Brien, Therapy and Consultation in New York. "Emotionally immature women—and people—may have a more underdeveloped ability to tolerate ambiguity."She notes that this type of thinking often stems from growing up in unstable, inconsistent environments. However, it can continue harmful cycles."This rigid way of thinking can lead to frequent idealizing or devaluing others, making it difficult to sustain balanced, secure relationships," she adds.
6. Confusing control with safety
People with emotional maturity issues also misunderstand safety, sometimes using it interchangeably with control. Frequently, emotionally immature women display this behavior if they have other mental health concerns. "When uncertainty rises, emotionally immature women often over-plan, micromanage or pressure others to conform," Dr. McGeehan reports. "These behaviors mask anxiety, but they also stifle authentic connection and trust."She reminds people that the hard truth is that we cannot control what other people say or think.Related: 10 Things Classy Women Never, Ever Do in Public, According to an Etiquette Expert
8. Conflict avoidance
The internal invalidation can have external side effects, too, including avoiding hard conversations. Dr. McGeehan especially sees conflict-avoidance in women."Rather than naming discomfort directly, they hope tension will fade on its own," Dr. McGeehan says. "Even though the whole time they are drowning in said tension. People like to think that this 'keeps the peace,' but it’s always lighting your own peace on fire and ultimately leads to resentment and disappointment."Related: 8 Toxic Personality Traits To Watch Out for in Yourself and Others, According to Psychologists
10. Attention-seeking during conflict
Some women who haven't matured emotionally avoid conflict at all costs. Others act as if they relish it. They may not, but Dr. MacBride says that attention-seeking in conflict is a common way to seek connection. However, it usually backfires."The primary way some people feel close to others is if there are intense emotions going on," she explains. "In these relationships, people will pick fights and engage in drama as a way to seek closeness or reassurance from their relationship partner. It works, in the short term at least. Over time, it erodes trust and causes emotional exhaustion."Related: 5 Unexpected Signs *You* Might Be the Toxic One in a Relationship—Plus, How To Break Free From the Behaviors
12. Weaponizing vulnerability
Yes, vulnerability is critical to authentic relationships, but only if it's used appropriately."Sometimes, emotional immaturity shows up as oversharing or using emotion to manipulate closeness," Dr. McGeehan says. "While it may seem like honesty, it often serves as a strategy to gain control rather than mutual understanding."Related: 7 Subtle Signs of Manipulation, According to a Psychologist
1. Build a daily practice of emotional check-ins
This practice is critical to progressing toward greater emotional maturity. Dr. McGeehan says that it involves pausing to name what you feel without judgment. You could spend this pause journaling or tuning in to body cues that signal stress or discomfort throughout the day."This pause trains emotional awareness," she explains. "We can’t change what we aren’t aware of."Related: 6 Inner Child Wounds That Affect Adult Relationships, According to a Psychologist
3. Take responsibility
Relationships can survive ruptures if there's repair."Owning your mistakes is important," Dr. Mazer notes. "Take responsibility without beating yourself up. Say, 'I messed up, and here’s what I’ll do differently next time.' Then, follow through. This builds self-respect and shows others you’re willing to grow.Up Next:
Related: 7 Things Emotionally Intelligent Women Do When Someone Tries to Gaslight Them
Sources:
Dr. Stefanie Mazer, Psy.D, is a psychologist in Florida.Dr. Brittany McGeehan, Ph.D., is a licensed psychologist.Dr. Gayle MacBride, Ph.D., LP, is a psychologist with Veritas Psychology.Dr. Janine O’Brien, Psy.D., is a licensed clinical psychologist and owner of Dr. Janine O’Brien, Therapy and Consultation in New York.Hence then, the article about women who haven t matured emotionally usually display these 13 behaviors without realizing it psychologists say was published today ( ) and is available on Parade ( Saudi Arabia ) The editorial team at PressBee has edited and verified it, and it may have been modified, fully republished, or quoted. You can read and follow the updates of this news or article from its original source.
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