The Mediating Role of Distress Tolerance in the Relationship Between Childhood Maltreatment and Mental Health Outcomes Among University Students

Abstract

A wealth of empirical literature has documented that the experience of childhood maltreatment is related to an increased risk for the development of psychopathologies in adulthood. Empirical studies examining the factors that could possibly explain this relationship, however, remain sparse. The emerging literature on Distress Tolerance suggests that it could possibly act as an explanatory or mediating factor within this relationship. The current study therefore examined the mediating role of Distress Tolerance in the relationship between childhood maltreatment and psychopathology (PTSD, depression, anxiety and alcohol use) in adulthood in a university student population sample (N = 642). Results showed that childhood maltreatment was positively associated with caseness for all mental health outcomes under investigation. It was also found that individuals with higher levels of Distress Tolerance were less likely to experience adverse mental health outcomes. The results of the mediation analysis indicated that the exposure to childhood maltreatment remained associated with elevated risk for being in the symptomatic group across mental health outcomes and that Distress Tolerance significantly mediated this relationship. These results provide insight into the relationship between childhood maltreatment and mental ill-health later in life, highlighting the importance of considering Distress Tolerance as a potential risk and resilience factor in this relationship.

The mediating effect of distress tolerance on the relationship between stressful life events and suicide risk in patients with major depressive disorder

“…As excepted, this study found that stressful life events were positively related with suicide risk. This nding was in line in with previous studies [12,17]. The result showed that distress tolerance was negatively related with depressive symptoms.…”

“…The effects of stressful experiences on mental heath outcomes were in uenced by the ability of individuals to endure distress. Individuals with low levels of distress tolerance is associated with increased severity of depressive symptoms [16,17]. Besides, distress tolerance is considered as a promising target within a variety of psychotherapeutic approaches in the context of treatments for depression [18].…”

Association of Child Sexual Abuse Victimization and Murderous Behaviors and the Mediating Role of Psychological Adjustment among College Students in China

“…Punishment by incarceration may further aggravate the psychological trauma of CSA victims, so providing appropriate cognitive, behavioral and family treatment is beneficial (Kozak et al, 2018). Furthermore, assessment of PA should be incorporated into initial clinical assessments of adolescents with a CSA background to establish the risk of developing offending behavior (Robinson et al, 2021). Finally, college campuses should emphasize the role of education engagement, establish related courses to educate and enhance the PA of students, and maintain close contact with students’ families to provide necessary social support (Lo et al, 2021).…”

Can Viewing Nature Through Windows Improve Isolated Living? A Pathway Analysis on Chinese Male Prisoners During the COVID-19 Epidemic

“…On the other hand, exposure to nature may regulate stress, thus enhancing tolerance to negative emotions ( 34 , 35 ), which may further reduce the risk of depression and anxiety ( 36 , 37 ). Based on the similar benefits observed in direct and indirect nature exposure, it is reasonable to hypothesize that nature exposure through windows may also facilitate prisoners' mental health by reducing their sense of loneliness as well as enhancing distress tolerance.…”