The impact of childhood trauma on the mental health problems of primary education preservice teachers: the mediating role of rumination and the moderating role of self-acceptance

Abstract Mental health problems are prevalent among Chinese college students, with over 20% experiencing disorders like depression. For primary education preservice teachers, these problems can affect their future teaching and student outcomes. This study examines the influence of childhood trauma o...

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Main Author: Fenxia Huang
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Springer Nature 2025-03-01
Series:Humanities & Social Sciences Communications
Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1057/s41599-025-04433-7
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author Fenxia Huang
author_facet Fenxia Huang
author_sort Fenxia Huang
collection DOAJ
description Abstract Mental health problems are prevalent among Chinese college students, with over 20% experiencing disorders like depression. For primary education preservice teachers, these problems can affect their future teaching and student outcomes. This study examines the influence of childhood trauma on the mental health of primary education preservice teachers, focusing on rumination as a mediator and self-acceptance as a moderator. The research aims to uncover mechanisms contributing to mental health challenges among future educators. This study sampled 676 preservice primary school teachers from three universities in Shandong Province, China, and conducted a six-month follow-up survey. Childhood trauma significantly predicted rumination and mental health problems. Rumination mediated the trauma-mental health link, indicating that those who ruminate are more prone to mental health problems. Self-acceptance moderated these effects, with higher self-acceptance reducing the negative impact of trauma and rumination. The results validate the positive role of the Risk and Protective Factor Framework in understanding mental health problems. Addressing childhood trauma and rumination in mental health interventions for preservice teachers is crucial. Enhancing self-acceptance may protect against the adverse effects of trauma, promoting better mental health outcomes for future educators.
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spelling doaj-art-e86a56d3ba2e4f198681c53645f1108f2025-08-20T01:52:55ZengSpringer NatureHumanities & Social Sciences Communications2662-99922025-03-011211910.1057/s41599-025-04433-7The impact of childhood trauma on the mental health problems of primary education preservice teachers: the mediating role of rumination and the moderating role of self-acceptanceFenxia Huang0Basic Education College, Putian UniversityAbstract Mental health problems are prevalent among Chinese college students, with over 20% experiencing disorders like depression. For primary education preservice teachers, these problems can affect their future teaching and student outcomes. This study examines the influence of childhood trauma on the mental health of primary education preservice teachers, focusing on rumination as a mediator and self-acceptance as a moderator. The research aims to uncover mechanisms contributing to mental health challenges among future educators. This study sampled 676 preservice primary school teachers from three universities in Shandong Province, China, and conducted a six-month follow-up survey. Childhood trauma significantly predicted rumination and mental health problems. Rumination mediated the trauma-mental health link, indicating that those who ruminate are more prone to mental health problems. Self-acceptance moderated these effects, with higher self-acceptance reducing the negative impact of trauma and rumination. The results validate the positive role of the Risk and Protective Factor Framework in understanding mental health problems. Addressing childhood trauma and rumination in mental health interventions for preservice teachers is crucial. Enhancing self-acceptance may protect against the adverse effects of trauma, promoting better mental health outcomes for future educators.https://doi.org/10.1057/s41599-025-04433-7
spellingShingle Fenxia Huang
The impact of childhood trauma on the mental health problems of primary education preservice teachers: the mediating role of rumination and the moderating role of self-acceptance
Humanities & Social Sciences Communications
title The impact of childhood trauma on the mental health problems of primary education preservice teachers: the mediating role of rumination and the moderating role of self-acceptance
title_full The impact of childhood trauma on the mental health problems of primary education preservice teachers: the mediating role of rumination and the moderating role of self-acceptance
title_fullStr The impact of childhood trauma on the mental health problems of primary education preservice teachers: the mediating role of rumination and the moderating role of self-acceptance
title_full_unstemmed The impact of childhood trauma on the mental health problems of primary education preservice teachers: the mediating role of rumination and the moderating role of self-acceptance
title_short The impact of childhood trauma on the mental health problems of primary education preservice teachers: the mediating role of rumination and the moderating role of self-acceptance
title_sort impact of childhood trauma on the mental health problems of primary education preservice teachers the mediating role of rumination and the moderating role of self acceptance
url https://doi.org/10.1057/s41599-025-04433-7
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