Psychological flexibility mediates the long-term impact of adverse interpersonal experiences in childhood and adolescence
Abstract Background Early exposure to interpersonal adverse events, such as traumatic childhood events or exposure to bullying, abuse, or harassment, can impact an adult’s psychological functioning. The negative effects on quality of life and the increased risk of psychopathological outcomes may und...
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2025-08-01
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| Series: | BMC Psychology |
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| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1186/s40359-025-03297-5 |
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| author | Leonardo Fazio Cristina Semeraro Teresa Claudia Pennacchio Martina Grazia Asselti Marianna Russo Rosalinda Cassibba Alessandro Bertolino Antonio Rampino Ignazio Grattagliano Giulio Pergola Linda Antonella Antonucci |
| author_facet | Leonardo Fazio Cristina Semeraro Teresa Claudia Pennacchio Martina Grazia Asselti Marianna Russo Rosalinda Cassibba Alessandro Bertolino Antonio Rampino Ignazio Grattagliano Giulio Pergola Linda Antonella Antonucci |
| author_sort | Leonardo Fazio |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract Background Early exposure to interpersonal adverse events, such as traumatic childhood events or exposure to bullying, abuse, or harassment, can impact an adult’s psychological functioning. The negative effects on quality of life and the increased risk of psychopathological outcomes may underscore long-lasting vulnerabilities. Psychological flexibility is defined as the ability to be present in the moment and to pursue one’s values, and it can facilitate coping with adverse events occurring in the present. An open question is whether psychological flexibility may contribute to reducing the long-term consequences of exposure to early adversities. The relevance of this research is that psychological flexibility is modifiable through intervention. The present study investigated the potential role of psychological flexibility in modulating the relationship between early exposure to interpersonal adverse events and two outcomes in young adults: quality of life and psychological symptomatology. Methods We recruited one hundred and nine women aged 19–21 years. Exposure to adverse interpersonal events was assessed with the Childhood Trauma Questionnaire and the Bullying Scale; quality of life and psychological symptomatology were measured with the World Health Organization Quality of Life Scale and the Symptom checklist-90, respectively; psychological flexibility was assessed with the Multidimensional Psychological Flexibility Inventory. Results The frequency of adverse interpersonal events was associated with lower quality of life and greater psychological symptoms. Psychological flexibility mediated the relationship between the frequency of interpersonal adverse events and measures of quality of life, with an indirect effect explaining 18–42% of the total effect. Similarly, psychological flexibility mediated between the frequency of interpersonal adverse events and psychological symptomatology, with an indirect effect explaining 21–22% of the total effect. Conclusion The present study evaluates the impact of exposure to interpersonal adverse events on different aspects of quality of life and psychological symptomatology. The results suggest that psychological flexibility mediates the long-term repercussions of interpersonal adversity. As psychological flexibility is a modifiable skill, interventions aimed at enhancing it in individuals with early exposure to adverse interpersonal events, such as traumatic childhood events, bullying, abuse, or harassment, could be used to reduce the long-term effects of past adversities. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-532412f43398475b9d254d9c1237ba44 |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 2050-7283 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-08-01 |
| publisher | BMC |
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| series | BMC Psychology |
| spelling | doaj-art-532412f43398475b9d254d9c1237ba442025-08-20T04:03:17ZengBMCBMC Psychology2050-72832025-08-0113111310.1186/s40359-025-03297-5Psychological flexibility mediates the long-term impact of adverse interpersonal experiences in childhood and adolescenceLeonardo Fazio0Cristina Semeraro1Teresa Claudia Pennacchio2Martina Grazia Asselti3Marianna Russo4Rosalinda Cassibba5Alessandro Bertolino6Antonio Rampino7Ignazio Grattagliano8Giulio Pergola9Linda Antonella Antonucci10Department of Medicine and Surgery, LUM University – Casamassima (Bari)Department of Education, Psychology, Communication, University of Bari Aldo MoroDepartment of Translational Biomedicine and Neuroscience, University of Bari Aldo MoroDepartment of Translational Biomedicine and Neuroscience, University of Bari Aldo MoroDepartment of Translational Biomedicine and Neuroscience, University of Bari Aldo MoroDepartment of Education, Psychology, Communication, University of Bari Aldo MoroDepartment of Translational Biomedicine and Neuroscience, University of Bari Aldo MoroDepartment of Translational Biomedicine and Neuroscience, University of Bari Aldo MoroDepartment of Education, Psychology, Communication, University of Bari Aldo MoroDepartment of Translational Biomedicine and Neuroscience, University of Bari Aldo MoroDepartment of Translational Biomedicine and Neuroscience, University of Bari Aldo MoroAbstract Background Early exposure to interpersonal adverse events, such as traumatic childhood events or exposure to bullying, abuse, or harassment, can impact an adult’s psychological functioning. The negative effects on quality of life and the increased risk of psychopathological outcomes may underscore long-lasting vulnerabilities. Psychological flexibility is defined as the ability to be present in the moment and to pursue one’s values, and it can facilitate coping with adverse events occurring in the present. An open question is whether psychological flexibility may contribute to reducing the long-term consequences of exposure to early adversities. The relevance of this research is that psychological flexibility is modifiable through intervention. The present study investigated the potential role of psychological flexibility in modulating the relationship between early exposure to interpersonal adverse events and two outcomes in young adults: quality of life and psychological symptomatology. Methods We recruited one hundred and nine women aged 19–21 years. Exposure to adverse interpersonal events was assessed with the Childhood Trauma Questionnaire and the Bullying Scale; quality of life and psychological symptomatology were measured with the World Health Organization Quality of Life Scale and the Symptom checklist-90, respectively; psychological flexibility was assessed with the Multidimensional Psychological Flexibility Inventory. Results The frequency of adverse interpersonal events was associated with lower quality of life and greater psychological symptoms. Psychological flexibility mediated the relationship between the frequency of interpersonal adverse events and measures of quality of life, with an indirect effect explaining 18–42% of the total effect. Similarly, psychological flexibility mediated between the frequency of interpersonal adverse events and psychological symptomatology, with an indirect effect explaining 21–22% of the total effect. Conclusion The present study evaluates the impact of exposure to interpersonal adverse events on different aspects of quality of life and psychological symptomatology. The results suggest that psychological flexibility mediates the long-term repercussions of interpersonal adversity. As psychological flexibility is a modifiable skill, interventions aimed at enhancing it in individuals with early exposure to adverse interpersonal events, such as traumatic childhood events, bullying, abuse, or harassment, could be used to reduce the long-term effects of past adversities.https://doi.org/10.1186/s40359-025-03297-5Psychological flexibilityAdverse childhood experienceChildhood traumaACEBullying victimizationBullying |
| spellingShingle | Leonardo Fazio Cristina Semeraro Teresa Claudia Pennacchio Martina Grazia Asselti Marianna Russo Rosalinda Cassibba Alessandro Bertolino Antonio Rampino Ignazio Grattagliano Giulio Pergola Linda Antonella Antonucci Psychological flexibility mediates the long-term impact of adverse interpersonal experiences in childhood and adolescence BMC Psychology Psychological flexibility Adverse childhood experience Childhood trauma ACE Bullying victimization Bullying |
| title | Psychological flexibility mediates the long-term impact of adverse interpersonal experiences in childhood and adolescence |
| title_full | Psychological flexibility mediates the long-term impact of adverse interpersonal experiences in childhood and adolescence |
| title_fullStr | Psychological flexibility mediates the long-term impact of adverse interpersonal experiences in childhood and adolescence |
| title_full_unstemmed | Psychological flexibility mediates the long-term impact of adverse interpersonal experiences in childhood and adolescence |
| title_short | Psychological flexibility mediates the long-term impact of adverse interpersonal experiences in childhood and adolescence |
| title_sort | psychological flexibility mediates the long term impact of adverse interpersonal experiences in childhood and adolescence |
| topic | Psychological flexibility Adverse childhood experience Childhood trauma ACE Bullying victimization Bullying |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1186/s40359-025-03297-5 |
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