The role of perfectionism in the relationship between adverse childhood experiences, symptoms of depression, and life satisfaction among Vietnamese adults

Introduction: Adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) were known as a risk factor for mental health problems and impact during adulthood. This study puts intention on the perfectionism concept that is a personality trait that may be developed from ACEs and impact on mental health. Objective: This stud...

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Main Authors: Tu Thi NGUYEN, Son Van HUYNH, Huan Thanh NGUYEN, Vy Truc LE, Ky LUU, Tuan-Khai TRUONG, Thao Thanh Thi NGUYEN, Vinh-Long TRAN-CHI
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Edizioni FS 2025-06-01
Series:Journal of Health and Social Sciences
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Online Access:https://journalhss.com/wp-content/uploads/10.192042025THRL7.pdf
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author Tu Thi NGUYEN
Son Van HUYNH
Huan Thanh NGUYEN
Vy Truc LE
Ky LUU
Tuan-Khai TRUONG
Thao Thanh Thi NGUYEN
Vinh-Long TRAN-CHI
author_facet Tu Thi NGUYEN
Son Van HUYNH
Huan Thanh NGUYEN
Vy Truc LE
Ky LUU
Tuan-Khai TRUONG
Thao Thanh Thi NGUYEN
Vinh-Long TRAN-CHI
author_sort Tu Thi NGUYEN
collection DOAJ
description Introduction: Adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) were known as a risk factor for mental health problems and impact during adulthood. This study puts intention on the perfectionism concept that is a personality trait that may be developed from ACEs and impact on mental health. Objective: This study aims to explore the relationship between ACEs, perfectionism, depressive symptoms and life satisfaction. Additionally, we aim to find the differences between symptoms of depression and life satisfaction by gender and birth order as a consideration of Vietnamese culture. Methods: We used random sampling and collected 554 valid respondents (including 178 participants who had ACEs) in Vietnam. The respondents ranged from 18 to 60 years old (Mean = 20.92, SD = 3.252) PLS-SEM model was conducted to examine the relationship among constructs of this study. Furthermore, One-way and Two-way MANOVA was used to find the differences of variables. Results: Maladaptive aspects of perfectionism (including concern over mistakes, doubt about actions, parental expectations, parental criticism, and personal standards) played a mediating role in the relationship between ACEs and depressive symptoms (β = 1.063, 95% CI [0.760; 1.416], p < 0.001). In addition, the adaptive aspect of perfectionism (organization) played a moderating role in the pathway from maladaptive perfectionism to life satisfaction (β = -0.122, 95% CI [-0.222; -0.022], p < 0.05). We also found significant differences in depressive symptoms and life satisfaction by gender and birth order. Conclusion: The coexistence of both adaptive and maladaptive aspects of perfectionism provides researchers with a foundation to further investigate the relationship between perfectionism and other mental health issues. Additionally, it extends the data available for mental health practitioners to develop treatment plans for patients and clients who have experienced childhood adversities.
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spelling doaj-art-2d40e5106b3245d3a894c9f1dcc2237e2025-08-20T03:08:13ZengEdizioni FSJournal of Health and Social Sciences2499-22402499-58862025-06-0110221623810.19204/2025/THRL7The role of perfectionism in the relationship between adverse childhood experiences, symptoms of depression, and life satisfaction among Vietnamese adultsTu Thi NGUYEN0Son Van HUYNH1Huan Thanh NGUYEN2Vy Truc LE3Ky LUU4Tuan-Khai TRUONG5Thao Thanh Thi NGUYEN6Vinh-Long TRAN-CHI7Faculty of Psychology, Ho Chi Minh City University of Education, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam. E-mail: tunt@hcmue.edu.vnFaculty of Psychology, Ho Chi Minh City University of Education, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam. E-mail: sonhv@hcmue.edu.vnFaculty of Psychology, Ho Chi Minh City University of Education, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam. E-mail: huannt@hcmue.edu.vnFaculty of Psychology, Ho Chi Minh City University of Education, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam. E-mail: vytrucle.judy@gmail.comFaculty of Psychology, Ho Chi Minh City University of Education, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam. E-mail: kyluuhihi@gmail.com Faculty of Psychology, Ho Chi Minh City University of Education, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam. E-mail: tuankhaipsy@gmail.comDepartment of Health System and Management, Faculty of Public Health, Can Tho University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Can Tho City, Vietnam. E-mail: nttthao@ctump.edu.vnFaculty of Psychology, Ho Chi Minh City University of Education, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam. E-mail: longtcv@hcmue.edu.vnIntroduction: Adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) were known as a risk factor for mental health problems and impact during adulthood. This study puts intention on the perfectionism concept that is a personality trait that may be developed from ACEs and impact on mental health. Objective: This study aims to explore the relationship between ACEs, perfectionism, depressive symptoms and life satisfaction. Additionally, we aim to find the differences between symptoms of depression and life satisfaction by gender and birth order as a consideration of Vietnamese culture. Methods: We used random sampling and collected 554 valid respondents (including 178 participants who had ACEs) in Vietnam. The respondents ranged from 18 to 60 years old (Mean = 20.92, SD = 3.252) PLS-SEM model was conducted to examine the relationship among constructs of this study. Furthermore, One-way and Two-way MANOVA was used to find the differences of variables. Results: Maladaptive aspects of perfectionism (including concern over mistakes, doubt about actions, parental expectations, parental criticism, and personal standards) played a mediating role in the relationship between ACEs and depressive symptoms (β = 1.063, 95% CI [0.760; 1.416], p < 0.001). In addition, the adaptive aspect of perfectionism (organization) played a moderating role in the pathway from maladaptive perfectionism to life satisfaction (β = -0.122, 95% CI [-0.222; -0.022], p < 0.05). We also found significant differences in depressive symptoms and life satisfaction by gender and birth order. Conclusion: The coexistence of both adaptive and maladaptive aspects of perfectionism provides researchers with a foundation to further investigate the relationship between perfectionism and other mental health issues. Additionally, it extends the data available for mental health practitioners to develop treatment plans for patients and clients who have experienced childhood adversities.https://journalhss.com/wp-content/uploads/10.192042025THRL7.pdfadverse childhood experiencesadultdepressionlife satisfactionperfectionism
spellingShingle Tu Thi NGUYEN
Son Van HUYNH
Huan Thanh NGUYEN
Vy Truc LE
Ky LUU
Tuan-Khai TRUONG
Thao Thanh Thi NGUYEN
Vinh-Long TRAN-CHI
The role of perfectionism in the relationship between adverse childhood experiences, symptoms of depression, and life satisfaction among Vietnamese adults
Journal of Health and Social Sciences
adverse childhood experiences
adult
depression
life satisfaction
perfectionism
title The role of perfectionism in the relationship between adverse childhood experiences, symptoms of depression, and life satisfaction among Vietnamese adults
title_full The role of perfectionism in the relationship between adverse childhood experiences, symptoms of depression, and life satisfaction among Vietnamese adults
title_fullStr The role of perfectionism in the relationship between adverse childhood experiences, symptoms of depression, and life satisfaction among Vietnamese adults
title_full_unstemmed The role of perfectionism in the relationship between adverse childhood experiences, symptoms of depression, and life satisfaction among Vietnamese adults
title_short The role of perfectionism in the relationship between adverse childhood experiences, symptoms of depression, and life satisfaction among Vietnamese adults
title_sort role of perfectionism in the relationship between adverse childhood experiences symptoms of depression and life satisfaction among vietnamese adults
topic adverse childhood experiences
adult
depression
life satisfaction
perfectionism
url https://journalhss.com/wp-content/uploads/10.192042025THRL7.pdf
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