Childhood trauma experiences, metacognition, psychological vulnerability and resilience: Tests of a metacognitive mediation model.

Abstract

The thesis is centred around the self-regulatory executive function model (S-REF; Wells & Matthews, 1994, 1996) and aimed to explore associations between adverse childhood experiences (ACEs), metacognition and psychological vulnerability (as measured by neuroticism). Paper one provides a systematic review and meta-analysis on neuroticism in adulthood following ACEs. The review highlighted that ACEs are positively associated with increased neuroticism in adulthood. Childhood emotional abuse was the type of ACE that seemed most consistently and highly associated with neuroticism. Studies evaluating the influence of age and gender on the association between ACEs and neuroticism were limited, preventing conclusions being drawn. Results suggest that although ACEs are a potential factor contributing to neuroticism, the studies varied widely in quality. Paper two evaluated the association between ACEs, metacognition, psychological vulnerability and resilience using structural equation modelling. ACEs were significantly and positively associated with psychological vulnerability and significantly negatively associated with psychological resilience. ACEs were significantly positively associated with dysfunctional metacognitive beliefs. Metacognitive beliefs about uncontrollability and danger of worry were the strongest predictor of both psychological vulnerability and resilience. Further, metacognition was found to mediate the relationship between ACEs and psychological vulnerability and resilience, even after controlling for demographic confounders. Paper three provides a critical appraisal of the aforementioned papers and reflections on the research process. It offers a theoretical framework to the thesis and considers clinical implications and future directions within the research area. Results indicate that adverse experiences in childhood, especially in the form of emotional abuse, are associated with increased psychological vulnerability and reduced psychological resilience. The thesis supports the application of Metacognitive Therapy for individuals exposed to childhood trauma to mitigate against the deleterious effects on emotional functioning and as a potential means of strengthening psychological resilience.

Date of Award	31 Dec 2022
Original language	English
Awarding Institution	The University of Manchester
Supervisor	Adrian Wells (Supervisor)