The Occurrence of and Distress From Pathogenic Beliefs: Examining Pathways From Childhood Adversity to...

Pathogenic beliefs are dysfunctional beliefs that impede the pursuit of adaptive goals, which have been shown as key pathways between early childhood trauma and psychopathology. This study examined whether the occurrence of pathogenic beliefs and the distress from having pathogenic beliefs, which were assessed through the latest version of the pathogenic belief scale (PBS-21) separately, would both mediate the childhood adversity-outcome relationship, and whether reactivity of pathogenic beliefs (standardized difference between distress and occurrence) moderates them.

A total of 390 adult participants with prior psychotherapy experience were recruited from the United Kingdom online. Participants completed self-report measures assessing perceived adverse parenting, psychopathology (depression, anxiety, general distress and interpersonal problems) and pathogenic beliefs (occurrence, distress and reactivity).

Both occurrence and distress of pathogenic beliefs fully mediated the relationship between adverse parenting and depressive/anxiety symptoms and general distress, and partially mediated interpersonal problems. Reactivity significantly moderated the pathway from adverse parenting to pathogenetic beliefs. Individuals who reported more adverse parenting and were categorized as having higher reactivity were more likely to develop pathogenic beliefs and experience greater psychological distress.

These findings align with prior research showing that pathogenic beliefs are key in the association between childhood adversity and psychopathology. The study supports the validity of the PBS-21 and demonstrates the value of assessing the occurrence of pathogenic beliefs and the distress from having these beliefs separately. Reactivity to pathogenic beliefs may serve as a clinically meaningful marker for identifying individuals with resilience and tailoring interventions accordingly.