Psychological Development and Education ›› 2022, Vol. 38 ›› Issue (5): 683-691.doi: 10.16187/j.cnki.issn1001-4918.2022.05.09

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The Mediating Effects of Experiential Avoidance and Negative Cognitive Emotion Regulation Strategies on the Relationship between Cumulative Traumatic Experiences and Complex Posttraumatic Stress Disorders in Children

LI Jina1,2, WANG Weiwei3, ZHANG Weijun1,2, QU Zhiyong1,2   

  1. 1. School of Social Development and Public Policy, Beijing Normal University, Beijing 100875;
    2. Center for Behavioral Health, Beijing Normal University, Beijing 100875;
    3. School of Sociology and Population Studies, Renmin University of China, Beijing 100872
  • Published:2022-09-14

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Abstract: This study aimed to explore the underlying mechanism between cumulative traumatic experiences and complex posttraumatic stress disorders (CPTSD). Using the convenience sampling method, a total of 3478 traumatized children in grades 4~5 from 7 primary schools in Henan province were selected. All participants completed questionnaires regarding the Traumatic Experiences Checklist, the Behavioral Activation for Depression Scale-Short Form, the Cognitive Emotion Regulation Questionnaire-Short Form and the International Trauma Questionnaire. The results showed that:(1) cumulative traumatic experiences, experiential avoidance, and negative cognitive emotion regulation strategies were significantly associated with CPTSD. Besides, cumulative traumatic experiences positively predicted children's CPTSD; (2) experiential avoidance and negative cognitive emotion regulation strategies mediated the relationship between cumulative traumatic experiences and CPTSD. Specifically, experiential avoidance and catastrophizing acted as the mediation effect on the relation between the cumulative traumatic experiences and complex posttraumatic stress disorders (CPTSD), respectively. Furthermore, the chain mediating effect of experiential avoidance on self-blame/rumination/catastrophizing was also found. Therefore, reducing the incidence of traumatic events, activating children's behavior, and adjusting the pattern of negative cognition may contribute to the prevention and alleviation of children's CPTSD.

Key words: elementary students, cumulative traumatic experiences, experiential avoidance, negative cognitive, traumatic events

CLC Number: 

  • B844
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