The relationship between childhood adversities and complex posttraumatic stress symptoms: a multiple mediation model. Issue 1 (1st January 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Guo, Tianyou; Huang, Liuyue; Hall, Daniel L.; Jiao, Can; Chen, Si-Tong; Yu, Qian; Yeung, Albert; Chi, Xinli; Zou, Liye
• Is Part Of: European journal of psychotraumatology. Volume 12:Issue 1(2021)
• Publication Date: 2021-01-01
• Subjects: Adverse childhood experiences -- complex posttraumatic stress symptoms -- self-judgement -- self-kindness -- descriptive survey study; Experiencias adversas en la niñez -- Síntomas de estrés postraumático complejo -- auto-juicio -- Bondad hacia uno mismo -- Estudio de encuesta descriptiva; 童年期不良经历 -- 复杂性创伤后应激症状 -- 自我评判 -- 自我善待 -- 描述性调查研究; Post-traumatic stress disorder -- Periodicals; Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic; Post-traumatic stress disorder; Electronic journals; Periodicals; Periodicals; Fulltext; Internet Resources; Periodicals; 616.8521
• DOI: 10.1080/20008198.2021.1936921
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2000-8198

Abstract

ABSTRACT: Background : There is a growing research literature on complex posttraumatic stress disorder (CPTSD), yet studies that focused on Chinese populations are still limited. Accumulating evidence showed that adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) are associated with a higher likelihood of CPTSD symptoms, but potential mediating roles of self-kindness and self-judgement on the ACEs-CPTSD relationship remain understudied. Objective : The purpose of this study was to first examine the relationship between ACEs and CPTSD among Chinese college students, and then to test the mediating role of self-kindness and self-judgement on the ACEs-CPTSD relationship. Method : The study included 1361 college students for an online survey in May 2020. Demographic variables (e.g. age, gender, having sibling[s] or not, residence, family structure, and subjective socioeconomic status), ACEs, self-compassion (self-kindness and self-judgement subscales), and CPTSD symptoms were assessed. After controlling for demographic variables, a series of structural equation models tested the mediation hypothesis: indirect effects of self-kindness and self-judgement on the relationship between ACEs and CPTSD symptom. Results : ACEs of College students were positively associated with more severe CPTSD symptoms (posttraumatic stress disorder and disturbances in self-organization symptoms). Furthermore, these direct pathways were mediated by decreased self-kindness and increased self-judgement. Conclusions : Findings have substantial theoretical and treatment implications, including the two critical targets (i.e. lowering self-judgement and raising self-kindness) when treating complex PTSD. HIGHLIGHTS: College students' ACEs were positively associated with more severe CPTSD symptoms, and these direct pathways were mediated by decreased self-kindness and increased self-judgement.