Anxiety Mood.  2022 Oct;18(2):65-71. 10.24986/anxmod.2022.18.2.004.

The Mediating Effects of Positive Resources in the Association Between Social Anxiety Symptoms and Adverse Childhood Experiences in Young Adults

• Jung YE
• Oh SK
• Jeong YR
• Kim MD

• KMID: 2534831
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.24986/anxmod.2022.18.2.004

Abstract

Objective
: This study was to examine the impact of adverse childhood experiences on social anxiety symptoms in young adults and verify the mediating effects of positive resources.
Methods
: Data from 1,317 young adults aged to 18 to 29 years who took part in the university-based crosssectional survey were analyzed. All participants completed Adverse Childhood Experience (ACE) scale, Social Avoidance and Distress Scale (SAD), and Positive Resources Test (POREST).
Results
: In young adults, 9.3% had severe social anxiety symptoms. Based on 10 ACE categories, 32.7% of participants reported one or more adverse childhood experience, and 4.5% reported four or more different forms of adverse childhood experiences. Young adults with higher social anxiety symptoms were likely to report more adverse childhood experiences, and less positive resources. Multivariate regression analysis indicated that positive resources moderated the association between adverse childhood experiences and social anxiety symptoms.
Conclusion
: Based on the results, professionals need to consider early detection of adverse childhood experiences and comorbid social anxiety symptoms. In addition, various positive psychological interventions for individuals with adverse childhood experiences are needed.

Keyword

Social anxiety symptoms; Adverse childhood experience; Positive resources; Young adults