The Mediating Role of Psychological Resilience in the Predictive Effect of Positive Childhood Experiences on Personality Disorders

Abstract

This study aims to examine the mediating role of psychological resilience defined as the ability to cope with stress and difficulties, in the prediction of personality disorders stemming from traumatic early experiences and fixations, by positive childhood experiences associated with healthy personality development according to psychodynamic theories. The analyses were conducted on a community sample of 241 participants, consisting of 165 females and 76 males, with a mean age of 24.8 (SD = 7.22). Data were collected through the Coolidge Axis II Inventory Turkish Short Form (Bilge, 2018), Positive Childhood Experiences Scale (Doğan & Aydın, 2020), and Psychological Resilience Scale (Doğan, 2015), and analyzed using correlation analysis and Process Macro (Hayes, 2017) Model 4. The results of the correlation analysis revealed a positive and statistically significant relationship between positive childhood experiences and psychological resilience (r = .25, p < .001). The analysis also indicated negative and statistically significant relationships between positive childhood experiences and Schizotypal, Schizoid, Borderline, Obsessive-Compulsive, Avoidant, and Dependent personality disorders (-.35 < r < -.15, p < .05). Lastly, negative, and statistically significant relationships were found between psychological resilience and all personality disorders (-.55 < r < -.17, p < .01). According to the results of mediation analyses conducted using Hayes' macro, psychological resilience plays a statistically significant mediating role between positive childhood experiences and all personality disorders. The analyses showed that as positive childhood experiences increase, psychological resilience also increases, leading to a decrease in personality disorders. Particularly, the fully mediating and protective role of psychological resilience in the negative relationship between positive childhood experiences and Antisocial, Histrionic, Narcissistic, Obsessive-Compulsive, Avoidant, and Dependent personality disorders highlights the importance of this concept in understanding the relationship between childhood experiences and personality disorders. Therefore, focusing on individuals' levels of psychological resilience in therapy and prevention efforts is crucial for public health.