Effect of Childhood Adversity and Positive Psychological Resources on Stress Response—Comparison Between Depressed and Nondepressed Young Adults

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to explore the relationship between stress response, childhood adversity, and positive psychological resources in young adults, to investigate the mediation effect of positive psychological resources, and to compare the moderated mediation effects between depressed and non-depressed groups. METHODS: A total of 360 young adults (165 outpatients diagnosed with depression and 195 non-depressed participants) were recruited. Data were collected using the Adverse Childhood Events questionnaire, Positive Resources Test, and Stress Response Inventory. Models 4 and 14 of the PROCESS macro were used to test the mediating and moderated mediating effects. RESULTS: In both groups, the stress response was negatively correlated with positive psychological resources and positively correlated with childhood adversity. Positive psychological resources mediated childhood adversity and depression. In the depression group, positive resources had a moderated mediation effect on the relationship between childhood adversity, positive psychological resources, and stress response. CONCLUSION: The findings suggest the importance of enhancing positive psychological resources, especially in patient groups, to help overcome childhood adversity and cope with stress more effectively.