BMC Psychiatry (Jun 2024)

Retrospective ACEs predict complex PTSD symptoms in a large sample of Chinese young adults longitudinally: the moderating role of self-compassion

  • Yizhen Ren,
  • Shuhan Yang,
  • Yu Peng,
  • Aiyi Liu,
  • Zibin Zhu

DOI
https://doi.org/10.1186/s12888-024-05830-z
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 24, no. 1
pp. 1 – 13

Abstract

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Abstract This longitudinal study in Mainland China (2021–2022) explored the impact of adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) on complex posttraumatic stress disorder (CPTSD) symptoms, with a focus on the role of self-compassion. Among 18,933 surveyed university students, 21.2% reported experiencing at least one ACE. Results revealed a clear relationship between ACEs and CPTSD symptoms. Furthermore, self-compassion, particularly the dimensions of self-judgment and isolation, moderated the association between retrospective ACEs and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and disturbance in self-organization (DSO) symptoms. These findings highlight the enduring impact of ACEs on CPTSD symptoms and emphasize the importance of early identification and targeted interventions, especially addressing self-judgment and isolation, to mitigate CPTSD risk among young Chinese adults.

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