Childhood trauma and internalizing and externalizing behavior problems among adolescents: Role of executive function and life events stress

IntroductionExposure to childhood trauma is found to increase internalizing and externalizing behavior problems in adolescents, however, the potential mechanism of this link remains underexplored. This study investigated the associations between childhood trauma and internalizing and externalizing behavior problems among adolescents, and tested the mediating role of executive function and the moderating role of life events stress in this relationship. MethodsQuestionnaire data were collected from 952 junior students in Northwest China. Participants ranged in age from 11 to 15 years old (M = 12.88 years, SD = 0.72; 53% females). SPSS 26.0 was used to analyze the relationship between variables and examine the mediation model and the moderated mediation model. ResultsChildhood trauma was positively associated with internalizing and externalizing behavior problems among adolescents. In addition, executive function partially mediated the relations between childhood trauma and internalizing and externalizing behavior problems. Life events stress was observed to moderate the relations between childhood trauma and executive function, as well as executive function and internalizing and externalizing behavior problems, but the effect sizes were relatively small. ConclusionsThese findings underscore the role of executive function and life events stress in the association between childhood trauma and behavioral problems among adolescents.

Automated summary

This study examined the relationship between childhood trauma and internalizing and externalizing behavior problems among adolescents, as well as the mediating role of executive function and the moderating role of life events stress. The results showed a positive association between childhood trauma and behavioral problems. Additionally, executive function partially mediated the link between childhood trauma and behavioral problems, and life events stress moderated the relationships between childhood trauma, executive function, and behavioral problems, although the effect sizes were relatively small.