Adverse experiences, emotional regulation difficulties and psychopathology in a sample of young women: Model of associations and results of cluster and discriminant function analysis

Abstract

ObjectiveThe study aimed to examine the relationship between difficulties in emotion regulation, different types of psychopathology and negative life experiences in a sample of young women. A question was asked about the co-occurrence of different types of adversities and about the psychopathology profile depending on the type of adversities. MethodFive hundred and two women aged 18–25years were examined with use of questionnaires measuring difficulties in emotion regulation, symptoms of psychopathology (including problem drinking) and different types of adverse experiences (including interpersonal childhood adversities). ResultsInterpersonal childhood adversities, but not traumatic events that took place also after 15years of age, turned out to be a risk factor for difficulties in emotion regulation. Lifetime traumatic events independently predicted symptoms of general psychopathology and posttraumatic symptoms. Emotion regulation deficits turned out to be the main mediator between childhood adversities and various symptoms of psychopathology, including problem drinking. Results of cluster analysis along with discriminant function analysis revealed that childhood sexual trauma was the most differentiating adversity in terms of severity of posttraumatic symptoms and problem drinking. ConclusionThe results of this study indicate that symptom profiles depend on the type of adversities experienced in childhood. Of the various adversities examined, sexual abuse is associated with the most severe symptomatology. However, regardless of the type of childhood adversities, the risk of psychopathology, including problem drinking, is mainly increased by difficulties in emotion regulation. These problems are the main, transdiagnostic risk factor underlying psychopathology reported by young women.