Adverse and positive childhood experiences in relation to adolescent mental health: sequential indirect associations.

BACKGROUND

Accumulating evidence has linked adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) to adolescent mental health problems, whereas positive childhood experiences (PCEs) may serve a protective function. Guided by the stress-vulnerability model, this study examined the associations between ACEs and adolescent mental health, and further investigated the indirect pathways via rumination and psychological resilience, as well as the moderating role of PCEs.

METHODS

A total of 700 adolescents were recruited and completed validated measures of ACEs, PCEs, rumination, psychological resilience, and mental health. Indirect association and moderation models were tested using the PROCESS macro in SPSS, and the significance of indirect associations was evaluated with bootstrap confidence intervals.

RESULTS

ACEs were significantly associated with poorer mental health. Rumination and psychological resilience each showed significant indirect associations, and together formed a significant sequential indirect association in the cross-sectional model. In addition, PCEs significantly moderated the associations between ACEs and mental health, between ACEs and rumination, and between ACEs and psychological resilience.

CONCLUSION

These findings suggest a complex pattern of associations between ACEs and adolescent mental health: rumination and psychological resilience may be involved in a sequential indirect association, and PCEs were associated with a protective moderating pattern. The results may inform risk identification for adolescent mental health and the development of family- and school-based intervention strategies.