Exposure to adverse social-relational events may impact an adult's psychological functioning, negatively affecting self-esteem and quality of life and increasing the risk of psychopathological outcomes. This harmful effect can be mitigated by specific positive psychological skills, such as psychological flexibility, which can be targeted for intervention. Our study investigated the potential role of psychological flexibility in modulating the relationship between adverse social-relational events, self-esteem, and quality of life, as well as the effectiveness of an Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) intervention in improving psychological flexibility. We recruited ninety-six women (age range: 19-21 years). Exposure to adverse social-relational events was assessed with the Childhood Trauma Questionnaire (CTQ) and the Bullying Scale (BS), while self-esteem and quality of life were measured with the Self-Esteem Rating Scale and the World Health Organization Quality of Life Scale, respectively. All participants underwent a six-meeting ACT intervention. Psychological flexibility was assessed using the Multidimensional Psychological Flexibility Inventory, before and after the ACT intervention. Frequency of adverse social-relational events was negatively correlated with self-esteem (BS r:-0.38; CTQ r:-0.43, all p<0.001) as well as psychological quality of life (BS r:-0.37; CTQ r-0.48, all p<0.001). Psychological flexibility partially mediated the relationship between the frequency of bullying episodes and (I) self-esteem (direct effect Z:-2.6, p=0.01; indirect effect Z:-2.8, p=0.005–48.6% of the total effect explained; total effect Z:-3.8, p<0.001) and (II) psychological quality of life (direct effect Z:-2.1, p=0.04; indirect effect Z:-3.1, p=0.002-40% of the total effect explained; total effect Z:-3.8, p<0.001). The ANOVA showed an increase in psychological flexibility after the ACT intervention (F95=17.1, p<0.001). Our results highlight Mediterranean Journal of Clinical Psychology ISSN 2282-1619 476 the impact of exposure to adverse social-relational events on several aspects of adult psychological functioning. In addition, they show that psychological flexibility can be enhanced in the short term by ACT-based interventions, which allows us to hypothesize intervention models designed to promote self-esteem and improve quality of life in young adults with a history of exposure to adverse events.
The mediating role of psychological flexibility in the association between adverse social-relational events, self-esteem, and quality of life: analysis and intervention
Fazio L
;Semeraro C;Pennacchio TC;Asselti MG;Cassibba R;Bertolino A;Rampino A;Grattagliano I;Pergola G
2023-01-01
Abstract
Exposure to adverse social-relational events may impact an adult's psychological functioning, negatively affecting self-esteem and quality of life and increasing the risk of psychopathological outcomes. This harmful effect can be mitigated by specific positive psychological skills, such as psychological flexibility, which can be targeted for intervention. Our study investigated the potential role of psychological flexibility in modulating the relationship between adverse social-relational events, self-esteem, and quality of life, as well as the effectiveness of an Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) intervention in improving psychological flexibility. We recruited ninety-six women (age range: 19-21 years). Exposure to adverse social-relational events was assessed with the Childhood Trauma Questionnaire (CTQ) and the Bullying Scale (BS), while self-esteem and quality of life were measured with the Self-Esteem Rating Scale and the World Health Organization Quality of Life Scale, respectively. All participants underwent a six-meeting ACT intervention. Psychological flexibility was assessed using the Multidimensional Psychological Flexibility Inventory, before and after the ACT intervention. Frequency of adverse social-relational events was negatively correlated with self-esteem (BS r:-0.38; CTQ r:-0.43, all p<0.001) as well as psychological quality of life (BS r:-0.37; CTQ r-0.48, all p<0.001). Psychological flexibility partially mediated the relationship between the frequency of bullying episodes and (I) self-esteem (direct effect Z:-2.6, p=0.01; indirect effect Z:-2.8, p=0.005–48.6% of the total effect explained; total effect Z:-3.8, p<0.001) and (II) psychological quality of life (direct effect Z:-2.1, p=0.04; indirect effect Z:-3.1, p=0.002-40% of the total effect explained; total effect Z:-3.8, p<0.001). The ANOVA showed an increase in psychological flexibility after the ACT intervention (F95=17.1, p<0.001). Our results highlight Mediterranean Journal of Clinical Psychology ISSN 2282-1619 476 the impact of exposure to adverse social-relational events on several aspects of adult psychological functioning. In addition, they show that psychological flexibility can be enhanced in the short term by ACT-based interventions, which allows us to hypothesize intervention models designed to promote self-esteem and improve quality of life in young adults with a history of exposure to adverse events.I documenti in IRIS sono protetti da copyright e tutti i diritti sono riservati, salvo diversa indicazione.
