Childhood trauma and anxiety symptoms among Chinese university students
The moderating and mediating roles of mindfulness
Bibliographic Data
| ID | 15699080 |
|---|---|
| Authors | Xingyu Chen (0000-0002-3813-6080, Jinan University), Yuying Ma (0009-0004-0180-1106, Jinan University), Dongmei Xiao (Jinan University), Ying Liu (0000-0001-5584-7805, Jinan University), Shasha Chen (0009-0004-5193-3772, Jinan University), Peng Xiong (0000-0002-4092-8028, Jinan University, corresponding author) |
| Year | 2026 |
| Volume | 14 |
| Issue | 1 |
| Publication date | 2026-01-31 |
| Peer Reviewed | Yes |
| Open Access | Yes |
| Type | ARTICLE |
| Venue | BMC Psychology (JOURNAL) |
| Journal identifiers | ISSN: 2050-7283 • E-ISSN: 2050-7283 |
| Publisher | BioMed Central (PUBLISHER • GB) |
| DOI | 10.1186/s40359-026-03964-1 |
| PMID | 41620796 |
| OpenAlex | W7126448047 |
| Language | EN |
| References cited | 46 |
Extensive research has established the adverse impact of childhood trauma on the mental distress. However, the potential moderating and mediating effect of mindfulness on these associations remains relatively unexplored among university students. This study aimed to examine the relationships between childhood trauma and anxiety symptoms and investigate whether mindfulness plays a buffering and mediating role in this relationship among Chinese university students. A total of 2,087 university students with random cluster sampling method were recruited from three comprehensive universities in Guangzhou, China, from April to May 2021. The multiple logistic regression and robust linear regression were conducted to identify associations between childhood trauma and anxiety symptoms, and the moderating and mediating roles of mindfulness. Adjusting for covariates, the multiple logistic regression models revealed that participants who reported 1 to 2 types and 3 to 5 types of childhood trauma were 1.58 (95% CI: 1.29–1.93) and 3.66 (95% CI: 2.63–5.09·) times more likely to report anxiety symptoms compared to those with no trauma history, respectively. The result of the robust linear regression indicated that mindfulness moderated the relationship between childhood trauma and anxiety symptoms (β = 0.002, 95% CI: 0.001–0.004). The 500-sample bootstrap analysis confirmed that the indirect effect of mindfulness between childhood trauma and anxiety symptoms was significant (β = 0.02, 95% CI: 0.01–0.03). Mindfulness emerges as a promising protective factor, anticipated to alleviate anxiety symptoms, bolster psychological resilience, and enhance coping mechanisms
Adverse Childhood Experiences · Anxiety · Coping (psychology · Logistic regression · Mental health · Mindfulness · Mindfulness and Compassion Interventions · Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Research · Resilience and Mental Health
Prevalence and risk factors for mental health problems in university undergraduate students
The relationship between childhood trauma and the severity of adulthood depression and anxiety symptoms in a clinical sample
Adverse childhood experiences
Measuring mindfulness—the Freiburg Mindfulness Inventory (FMI)
Risk factors associated with stress, anxiety, and depression among university undergraduate students
Psychometric Properties of the Generalized Anxiety Disorder Scale-7 Item (GAD-7) in a Large Sample of Chinese Adolescents
Family issues in child anxiety
Development and validation of a brief screening version of the Childhood Trauma Questionnaire
A Brief Measure for Assessing Generalized Anxiety Disorder
Factors Influencing Mental Health Among Chinese Medical and Non-medical Students in the Early Stage of the Covid-19 Pandemic
Mental health and quality of life in children and adolescents during the Covid-19 pandemic
Prevalence and associated factors of depression and anxiety symptoms among college students
Conceptualizing Mindfulness and Acceptance as Components of Psychological Resilience to Trauma
Association of Childhood Emotional Maltreatment with Adolescents’ Psychopathology
Stressors and Reactions to Stressors Among University Students
The Unique Nature of Depression and Anxiety among College Students with Adverse Childhood Experiences
The impact of physical activity on internet addiction among college students
Accounting for sex differences in depression through female victimization
A multi-method examination of the effects of mindfulness on stress attribution, coping, and emotional well-being
Unpacking the impact of adverse childhood experiences on adult mental health
| Citation velocity | historical |
|---|---|
| Highly cited | No |