Adverse childhood experiences (ACEs), including abuse, neglect, and household dysfunction, are prevalent and represent a major risk factor for psychological distress in adulthood. Although control-related constructs such as self-efficacy, mastery, and perceived control have been widely examined in this context, the role of locus of control (LoC) remains less well understood. The present study investigated the associations between ACEs, LoC, and psychological distress, and examined whether LoC mediates or moderates the relationship between ACE exposure and psychological distress. Data were drawn from a representative survey of the German general population [N = 2,463; age range 16–96 years; female 1,237 female (50.2%)]. ACEs were assessed using the Adverse Childhood Experiences Questionnaire, psychological distress was measured with the Patient Health Questionnaire–4, and LoC was assessed with the Internal–External Locus of Control Short Scale–4. Structural equation modeling with robust diagonally weighted least squares estimation was applied. Higher ACE exposure significantly predicted greater psychological distress and a more external LoC orientation. Mediation analyses indicated that LoC accounted for approximately half of the association between ACE exposure and psychological distress. In contrast, moderation analyses did not reveal a significant interaction effect between ACE exposure and LoC in predicting psychological distress. These findings highlight control beliefs as an important psychological factor, linking early adversity to adult psychological distress and suggest that interventions targeting perceived control may help mitigate long-term mental health consequences of childhood adversity.
I. Behrens, B. Schmalbach, E. Brähler et al.· Frontiers in Epidemiology· 0 citations
BACKGROUND
Childhood maltreatment (CM) is a major public health concern with lifelong mental health consequences. Fear of crime (FOC) relates to victimization and mental health, yet the specific CM-FOC association remains unclear.
OBJECTIVE
To examine how experiences of maltreatment shape affective fear responses later in life.
PARTICIPANTS AND SETTINGS
A representative German sample of 2530 participants (54% female; age 16-92, M = 49.42) was surveyed on experiences of CM using the Childhood Trauma Questionnaire (CTQ). Affective, cognitive, and behavioral FOC were measured using items adapted from the German Victimization Survey 2017.
METHODS
Analyses comprised Kruskal-Wallis test, post-hoc comparisons, multiple regression and mediation models.
RESULTS
In the sample, 29.2% reported at least one type of CM. Individuals with one or multiple CM exposures reported significantly higher levels of affective FOC compared to those without CM. When controlled for other CM types and sociodemographic factors, physical neglect (PN) and sexual abuse (SA) remained robust and significant predictors of affective FOC. Mediation indicated that PN increased affective FOC both directly and indirectly through cognitive FOC and behavioral FOC. In contrast, the effect of SA on affective FOC was fully mediated by cognitive FOC.
CONCLUSION
Exposure to a single form of CM (compared to none) was associated with higher levels of affective FOC, with polyvictimization leading to further increases. PN and SA emerged as the strongest predictors of affective FOC. Mediation findings support the tripartite conceptualization of FOC and demonstrate the dynamic interrelations between its dimensions.
Stefan Wagner, Katrin Chauviré-Geib, Jelena Gerke et al.· International Journal of Chi...· 0 citations
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