Self-efficacy and attachment styles mediate the impact of early life trauma on negative emotional states in adults living in Portugal

While early life trauma (ELT) is known to contribute to poor physical and psychological health in adulthood, not all individuals exposed to ELT develop mental illness. This suggests the presence of potential mediating factors that influence this relationship. This study examines the mediating effects of self-efficacy and attachment styles on the relationship between ELT and negative emotional states (NEs) in a large cohort of people in Portugal. A total of 936 participants completed standardized psychological assessments via an online survey. Structural equation modeling (SEM) and mediation analysis were employed to examine the relationships among ELT, self-efficacy, attachment styles, and NEs. The findings indicated a strong correlation between ELT and diminished self-efficacy, as well as elevated levels of anxious and avoidant attachment patterns. These factors mediated the link between ELT and adverse emotional states. The results underscore the significant function of self-efficacy and attachment patterns as primary mediators in the emotional outcomes of ELT. Addressing these aspects via trauma-informed therapies may alleviate the psychological cost of ELT. Future longitudinal research are necessary to establish causal relationships and further examine these pathways.
Open access funding provided by FCT|FCCN (b-on). This work was conducted at CIPsi, School of Psychology, University of Minho, supported by the Portuguese Foundation for Science and Technology (FCT; UID/01662: Centro de Investigação em Psicologia) through national funds. A1 was also funded by the FCT under the reference 2022.14063.BD.