THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN ADVERSE CHILDHOOD EXPERIENCES, PERFECTIONISM, DEPRESSION, AND LIFE SATISFACTION AMONG VIETNAMESE ADULTS
Main Article Content
Abstract
Adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) are recognized as a critical factor influencing mental health in adulthood. However, few studies have identified the mechanisms underlying this influence. To explore the relationships between ACEs, perfectionism, depression, and life satisfaction, this study surveyed 554 Vietnamese adults aged 18 and above, of whom 178 participants reported experiencing at least one adverse childhood experience. Using simple linear regression analysis, the results revealed that adverse childhood experiences had a significant positive correlation with perfectionism (β = 0.326, p < .001) and depressive symptoms (β = 0.366, p < .001), while showing a significant negative correlation with life satisfaction (β = -0.096, p = .024). Furthermore, perfectionism was a significant predictor of depression (β = 0.495, p < .001). These findings emphasize the importance of early identification and intervention, while providing empirical data for developing psychological support programs to enhance the mental health and quality of life of Vietnamese adults who have experienced adverse childhood events.
Keywords
Adverse childhood experiences, Adults, Depressive symptoms, Life satisfaction, Perfectionism, Relationship
Article Details
References
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Campbell, J. A., Walker, R. J., & Egede, L. E. (2015). Associations between adverse childhood experiences, high-Risk behaviors, and morbidity in adulthood. American Journal of Preventive Medicine, 50(3), 344-352. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.amepre.2015.07.022
Chen, C., Hewitt, P. L., & Flett, G. L. (2019). Adverse childhood experiences and multidimensional perfectionism in young adults. Personality and Individual Differences, 146, 53-57. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.paid.2019.03.042
Curran, T., & Hill, A. P. (2022). Young people’s perceptions of their parents’ expectations and criticism are increasing over time: Implications for perfectionism. Psychological Bulletin, 148(1-2), 107-128. https://doi.org/10.1037/bul0000347
Diener, E., Emmons, R. A., Larsen, R. J., & Griffin, S. (1985). The satisfaction with life scale. Journal of Personality Assessment, 49(1), 71-75. https://doi.org/10.1207/s15327752jpa4901_13
Dobos, B., Piko, B. F., & Mellor, D. (2021). What makes university students perfectionists? The role of childhood trauma, emotional dysregulation, academic anxiety, and social support. Scandinavian Journal of Psychology, 62(3), 443-447. https://doi.org/10.1111/sjop.12718
Farooq, B., Russell, A. E., Howe, L. D., Herbert, A., Smith, A. D., Fisher, H. L., Baldwin, J. R., Arseneault, L., Danese, A., & Mars, B. (2024). The relationship between type, timing and duration of exposure to adverse childhood experiences and adolescent self‐harm and depression: findings from three UK prospective population‐based cohorts. Journal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry, 65(10), 1369-1387. https://doi.org/10.1111/jcpp.13986
Felitti, V. J., Anda, R. F., Nordenberg, D., Williamson, D. F., Spitz, A. M., Edwards, V., Koss, M. P., & Marks, J. S. (1998). Adverse Childhood Experiences Study questionnaire [Dataset]. In PsycTESTS Dataset. https://doi.org/10.1037/t26957-000
Flett, G. L., Hewitt, P. L., Oliver, J. M., & Macdonald, S. (2002). Perfectionism in children and their parents: A developmental analysis. In American Psychological Association eBooks (pp. 89-132). https://doi.org/10.1037/10458-004
Frost, R. O., Marten, P., Lahart, C., & Rosenblate, R. (1990). The dimensions of perfectionism. Cognitive Therapy and Research, 14(5), 449-468. https://doi.org/10.1007/bf01172967
Gauthier, L., Stollak, G., Messé, L., & Aronoff, J. (1996). Recall of childhood neglect and physical abuse as differential predictors of current psychological functioning. Child Abuse & Neglect, 20(7), 549–559. https://doi.org/10.1016/0145-2134(96)00043-9
Grad, R. I., Thomas, C. L., & Gordy, D. D. (2023). Adverse childhood experiences, multidimensional perfectionism, and stress in young adults: A Person-Centered Perspective. Journal of Mental Health Counseling, 45(2), 166-183. https://doi.org/10.17744/mehc.45.2.05
Gross, J. J. (1998). The Emerging Field of Emotion Regulation: An Integrative Review. Review of General Psychology, 2(3), 271–299. https://doi.org/10.1037/1089-2680.2.3.271
Hewitt, P. L., Flett, G. L., & Ediger, E. (1996). Perfectionism and depression: Longitudinal assessment of a specific vulnerability hypothesis. Journal of Abnormal Psychology, 105(2), 276-280. https://doi.org/10.1037/0021-843x.105.2.276
Hofmann, S. G., Sawyer, A. T., Fang, A., & Asnaani, A. (2012). Emotion dysregulation model of mood and anxiety disorders. Depression and Anxiety, 29(5), 409-416. https://doi.org/10.1002/da.21888
Horney, K. (1951). Neurosis and Human Growth: The Struggle Toward Self-Realization. Journal of the American Medical Association, 145(2), 124. https://doi.org/10.1001/jama.1951.02920200064035
Kempke, S., Luyten, P., Claes, S., Van Wambeke, P., Bekaert, P., Goossens, L., & Van Houdenhove, B. (2013). The prevalence and impact of early childhood trauma in Chronic Fatigue Syndrome. Journal of Psychiatric Research, 47(5), 664-669. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jpsychires.2013.01.021
Kendall-Tackett, K. A. (2000). Physiological correlates of childhood abuse: chronic hyperarousal in PTSD, depression, and irritable bowel syndrome. Child Abuse & Neglect, 24(6), 799-810. https://doi.org/10.1016/s0145-2134(00)00136-8
Khodabakhsh, S. (2021). Factors affecting life satisfaction of Older adults in Asia: a systematic review. Journal of Happiness Studies, 23(3), 1289-1304. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10902-021-00433-x
Kranick, S., Ekanayake, V., Martinez, V., Ameli, R., Hallett, M., & Voon, V. (2011). Psychopathology and psychogenic movement disorders. Movement Disorders, 26(10), 1844-1850. https://doi.org/10.1002/mds.23830
Kroenke, K., Spitzer, R. L., & Williams, J. B. (2001). The PHQ‐9: validity of a brief depression severity measure. Journal of general internal medicine, 16(9), 606-613. https://doi.org/10.1046/j.1525-1497.2001.016009606.x
Mosley-Johnson, E., Garacci, E., Wagner, N., Mendez, C., Williams, J. S., & Egede, L. E. (2018). Assessing the relationship between adverse childhood experiences and life satisfaction, psychological well-being, and social well-being: United States Longitudinal Cohort 1995-2014. Quality of Life Research, 28(4), 907-914. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11136-018-2054-6
Nemeroff, C. B. (2016). Paradise Lost: The Neurobiological and clinical Consequences of Child Abuse and Neglect. Neuron, 89(5), 892-909. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.neuron.2016.01.019
Nguyen, T. C. (2012). Thực trạng trầm cảm và một số yếu tố nguy cơ đến trầm cảm ở người trưởng thành tại phường Sông Cầu, thị xã Bắc Kạn năm 2011 và đề xuất một số giải pháp [The current state of depression and some risk factors for depression among adults in Song Cau Ward, Bac Kan Town in 2011 and proposed solutions] [Level II specialist thesis]. Thai Nguyen University of Medicine and Pharmacy.
Rice, F., Riglin, L., Lomax, T., Souter, E., Potter, R., Smith, D., Thapar, A., & Thapar, A. (2019). Adolescent and adult differences in major depression symptom profiles. Journal of Affective Disorders, 243, 175–181. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jad.2018.09.015
Satinsky, E. N., Kakuhikire, B., Baguma, C., Rasmussen, J. D., Ashaba, S., Cooper-Vince, C. E., Perkins, J. M., Kiconco, A., Namara, E. B., Bangsberg, D. R., & Tsai, A. C. (2021). Adverse childhood experiences, adult depression, and suicidal ideation in rural Uganda: A cross-sectional, population-based study. PLoS Medicine, 18(5), e1003642. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pmed.1003642
Seligman, M. E., Abramson, L. Y., Semmel, A., & Von Baeyer, C. (1979). Depressive attributional style. Journal of Abnormal Psychology, 88(3), 242-247. https://doi.org/10.1037/0021-843x.88.3.242
Stober, J. (1998). The Frost Multidimensional Perfectionism Scale revisited: More perfect with four (instead of six) dimensions. Personality and individual differences, 24(4), 481-491. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0191-8869(97)00207-9
Stoeber, J., & Stoeber, F. S. (2009). Domains of perfectionism: Prevalence and relationships with perfectionism, gender, age, and satisfaction with life. Personality and Individual Differences, 46(4), 530-535. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.paid.2008.12.006
Tran, Q. A., Dunne, M. P., Van Vo, T., & Luu, N. H. (2015). Adverse childhood experiences and the health of university students in eight provinces of Vietnam. Asia Pacific Journal of Public Health, 27(8_suppl), 26S-32S. https://doi.org/10.1177/1010539515589812
Tudorel, O. I. (2022). Adverse childhood experiences and problematic technology use: The mediating role of satisfaction with life. Current Psychology, 42(17), 14681-14688. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12144-022-02723-w
Winata, H. K., & Power, T. G. (1989). Child rearing and compliance. Journal of Cross-Cultural Psychology, 20(4), 333-356. https://doi.org/10.1177/0022022189204001
World Health Organization: WHO & World Health Organization: WHO. (2023, March 31). Depressive disorder (depression). https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/depression
Wu, C., & Chao, R. K. (2005). Intergenerational cultural conflicts in norms of parental warmth among Chinese American immigrants. International Journal of Behavioral Development, 29(6), 516-523. https://doi.org/10.1177/01650250500147444
Zarse, E. M., Neff, M. R., Yoder, R., Hulvershorn, L., Chambers, J. E., & Chambers, R. A. (2019). The adverse childhood experiences questionnaire: Two decades of research on childhood trauma as a primary cause of adult mental illness, addiction, and medical diseases. Cogent Medicine, 6(1), 1581447. https://doi.org/10.1080/2331205x.2019.1581447
Antoniou, G., Lambourg, E., Steele, J. D., & Colvin, L. A. (2023). The effect of adverse childhood experiences on chronic pain and major depression in adulthood: a systematic review and meta-analysis. British Journal of Anaesthesia, 130(6), 729-746. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.bja.2023.03.008
Campbell, J. A., Walker, R. J., & Egede, L. E. (2015). Associations between adverse childhood experiences, high-Risk behaviors, and morbidity in adulthood. American Journal of Preventive Medicine, 50(3), 344-352. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.amepre.2015.07.022
Chen, C., Hewitt, P. L., & Flett, G. L. (2019). Adverse childhood experiences and multidimensional perfectionism in young adults. Personality and Individual Differences, 146, 53-57. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.paid.2019.03.042
Curran, T., & Hill, A. P. (2022). Young people’s perceptions of their parents’ expectations and criticism are increasing over time: Implications for perfectionism. Psychological Bulletin, 148(1-2), 107-128. https://doi.org/10.1037/bul0000347
Diener, E., Emmons, R. A., Larsen, R. J., & Griffin, S. (1985). The satisfaction with life scale. Journal of Personality Assessment, 49(1), 71-75. https://doi.org/10.1207/s15327752jpa4901_13
Dobos, B., Piko, B. F., & Mellor, D. (2021). What makes university students perfectionists? The role of childhood trauma, emotional dysregulation, academic anxiety, and social support. Scandinavian Journal of Psychology, 62(3), 443-447. https://doi.org/10.1111/sjop.12718
Farooq, B., Russell, A. E., Howe, L. D., Herbert, A., Smith, A. D., Fisher, H. L., Baldwin, J. R., Arseneault, L., Danese, A., & Mars, B. (2024). The relationship between type, timing and duration of exposure to adverse childhood experiences and adolescent self‐harm and depression: findings from three UK prospective population‐based cohorts. Journal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry, 65(10), 1369-1387. https://doi.org/10.1111/jcpp.13986
Felitti, V. J., Anda, R. F., Nordenberg, D., Williamson, D. F., Spitz, A. M., Edwards, V., Koss, M. P., & Marks, J. S. (1998). Adverse Childhood Experiences Study questionnaire [Dataset]. In PsycTESTS Dataset. https://doi.org/10.1037/t26957-000
Flett, G. L., Hewitt, P. L., Oliver, J. M., & Macdonald, S. (2002). Perfectionism in children and their parents: A developmental analysis. In American Psychological Association eBooks (pp. 89-132). https://doi.org/10.1037/10458-004
Frost, R. O., Marten, P., Lahart, C., & Rosenblate, R. (1990). The dimensions of perfectionism. Cognitive Therapy and Research, 14(5), 449-468. https://doi.org/10.1007/bf01172967
Gauthier, L., Stollak, G., Messé, L., & Aronoff, J. (1996). Recall of childhood neglect and physical abuse as differential predictors of current psychological functioning. Child Abuse & Neglect, 20(7), 549–559. https://doi.org/10.1016/0145-2134(96)00043-9
Grad, R. I., Thomas, C. L., & Gordy, D. D. (2023). Adverse childhood experiences, multidimensional perfectionism, and stress in young adults: A Person-Centered Perspective. Journal of Mental Health Counseling, 45(2), 166-183. https://doi.org/10.17744/mehc.45.2.05
Gross, J. J. (1998). The Emerging Field of Emotion Regulation: An Integrative Review. Review of General Psychology, 2(3), 271–299. https://doi.org/10.1037/1089-2680.2.3.271
Hewitt, P. L., Flett, G. L., & Ediger, E. (1996). Perfectionism and depression: Longitudinal assessment of a specific vulnerability hypothesis. Journal of Abnormal Psychology, 105(2), 276-280. https://doi.org/10.1037/0021-843x.105.2.276
Hofmann, S. G., Sawyer, A. T., Fang, A., & Asnaani, A. (2012). Emotion dysregulation model of mood and anxiety disorders. Depression and Anxiety, 29(5), 409-416. https://doi.org/10.1002/da.21888
Horney, K. (1951). Neurosis and Human Growth: The Struggle Toward Self-Realization. Journal of the American Medical Association, 145(2), 124. https://doi.org/10.1001/jama.1951.02920200064035
Kempke, S., Luyten, P., Claes, S., Van Wambeke, P., Bekaert, P., Goossens, L., & Van Houdenhove, B. (2013). The prevalence and impact of early childhood trauma in Chronic Fatigue Syndrome. Journal of Psychiatric Research, 47(5), 664-669. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jpsychires.2013.01.021
Kendall-Tackett, K. A. (2000). Physiological correlates of childhood abuse: chronic hyperarousal in PTSD, depression, and irritable bowel syndrome. Child Abuse & Neglect, 24(6), 799-810. https://doi.org/10.1016/s0145-2134(00)00136-8
Khodabakhsh, S. (2021). Factors affecting life satisfaction of Older adults in Asia: a systematic review. Journal of Happiness Studies, 23(3), 1289-1304. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10902-021-00433-x
Kranick, S., Ekanayake, V., Martinez, V., Ameli, R., Hallett, M., & Voon, V. (2011). Psychopathology and psychogenic movement disorders. Movement Disorders, 26(10), 1844-1850. https://doi.org/10.1002/mds.23830
Kroenke, K., Spitzer, R. L., & Williams, J. B. (2001). The PHQ‐9: validity of a brief depression severity measure. Journal of general internal medicine, 16(9), 606-613. https://doi.org/10.1046/j.1525-1497.2001.016009606.x
Mosley-Johnson, E., Garacci, E., Wagner, N., Mendez, C., Williams, J. S., & Egede, L. E. (2018). Assessing the relationship between adverse childhood experiences and life satisfaction, psychological well-being, and social well-being: United States Longitudinal Cohort 1995-2014. Quality of Life Research, 28(4), 907-914. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11136-018-2054-6
Nemeroff, C. B. (2016). Paradise Lost: The Neurobiological and clinical Consequences of Child Abuse and Neglect. Neuron, 89(5), 892-909. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.neuron.2016.01.019
Nguyen, T. C. (2012). Thực trạng trầm cảm và một số yếu tố nguy cơ đến trầm cảm ở người trưởng thành tại phường Sông Cầu, thị xã Bắc Kạn năm 2011 và đề xuất một số giải pháp [The current state of depression and some risk factors for depression among adults in Song Cau Ward, Bac Kan Town in 2011 and proposed solutions] [Level II specialist thesis]. Thai Nguyen University of Medicine and Pharmacy.
Rice, F., Riglin, L., Lomax, T., Souter, E., Potter, R., Smith, D., Thapar, A., & Thapar, A. (2019). Adolescent and adult differences in major depression symptom profiles. Journal of Affective Disorders, 243, 175–181. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jad.2018.09.015
Satinsky, E. N., Kakuhikire, B., Baguma, C., Rasmussen, J. D., Ashaba, S., Cooper-Vince, C. E., Perkins, J. M., Kiconco, A., Namara, E. B., Bangsberg, D. R., & Tsai, A. C. (2021). Adverse childhood experiences, adult depression, and suicidal ideation in rural Uganda: A cross-sectional, population-based study. PLoS Medicine, 18(5), e1003642. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pmed.1003642
Seligman, M. E., Abramson, L. Y., Semmel, A., & Von Baeyer, C. (1979). Depressive attributional style. Journal of Abnormal Psychology, 88(3), 242-247. https://doi.org/10.1037/0021-843x.88.3.242
Stober, J. (1998). The Frost Multidimensional Perfectionism Scale revisited: More perfect with four (instead of six) dimensions. Personality and individual differences, 24(4), 481-491. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0191-8869(97)00207-9
Stoeber, J., & Stoeber, F. S. (2009). Domains of perfectionism: Prevalence and relationships with perfectionism, gender, age, and satisfaction with life. Personality and Individual Differences, 46(4), 530-535. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.paid.2008.12.006
Tran, Q. A., Dunne, M. P., Van Vo, T., & Luu, N. H. (2015). Adverse childhood experiences and the health of university students in eight provinces of Vietnam. Asia Pacific Journal of Public Health, 27(8_suppl), 26S-32S. https://doi.org/10.1177/1010539515589812
Tudorel, O. I. (2022). Adverse childhood experiences and problematic technology use: The mediating role of satisfaction with life. Current Psychology, 42(17), 14681-14688. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12144-022-02723-w
Winata, H. K., & Power, T. G. (1989). Child rearing and compliance. Journal of Cross-Cultural Psychology, 20(4), 333-356. https://doi.org/10.1177/0022022189204001
World Health Organization: WHO & World Health Organization: WHO. (2023, March 31). Depressive disorder (depression). https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/depression
Wu, C., & Chao, R. K. (2005). Intergenerational cultural conflicts in norms of parental warmth among Chinese American immigrants. International Journal of Behavioral Development, 29(6), 516-523. https://doi.org/10.1177/01650250500147444
Zarse, E. M., Neff, M. R., Yoder, R., Hulvershorn, L., Chambers, J. E., & Chambers, R. A. (2019). The adverse childhood experiences questionnaire: Two decades of research on childhood trauma as a primary cause of adult mental illness, addiction, and medical diseases. Cogent Medicine, 6(1), 1581447. https://doi.org/10.1080/2331205x.2019.1581447