Abstract

ARVANAS, Catarina; CAMPOS, Rui; VASQUES, Ana  and  PEREIRA, Alexandra. Childhood trauma, avoidance of psychological pain and self-harming behaviors in young adults. Psic., Saúde & Doenças [online]. 2022, vol.23, n.1, pp.229-242.  Epub Apr 30, 2022. ISSN 1645-0086.  https://doi.org/10.15309/22psd230122.

Childhood trauma presents a negative impact on development, which can lead to dysfunctionality and to suicidal behaviors, namely self-harming behaviors throughout life. The aim of this preliminary study is to test the mediation and moderation effects of different facets of psychological pain, cognitive dimension, affective dimension and avoidance in the relationship between childhood trauma and self-harming behavior in young adults. A final sample of 323 young adults, college students, aged between 18 and 28 years participated. Path analysis techniques using Structural Equation Modeling and Multiple Hierarchical Regression Analysis were used to test mediation and moderation models, respectively. It was found that the dimension of psychological pain avoidance partially mediates the relationship between childhood trauma and self-injurious behaviors. There were no significant moderation effects. Results are discussed in their clinical implications.

Keywords : Childhood trauma; Self-harming behaviors; Psychological pain; Pain avoidance.

        · abstract in Portuguese     · text in Portuguese     · Portuguese ( pdf )