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Self-compassion predicts the coexisting patterns of complex PTSD symptoms and posttraumatic growth in young adults
Yizhen Ren1, Kaisheng Xie2, Yanrong Xia1
1School of Education, Guangzhou University, Guangzhou 510006, China.
Background:
Complex posttraumatic stress disorder (Complex PTSD) and posttraumatic growth (PTG) may co-occur following adverse childhood experiences (ACEs), yet their joint patterns remain unclear. This study identified Complex PTSD and PTG profiles in Chinese young adults with ACEs and tested whether positive and negative self-compassion differentially predicted profile membership.
Methods:
Using two-wave survey data from a university cohort in Yunnan, China, participants reporting ≥1 adverse childhood experience and completing both waves were included (N = 7,201; M age = 20.29, SD = 1.87; 62.9% male). At follow-up, Complex PTSD and PTG were modeled via latent profile analysis. Positive and negative self-compassion predicted profile membership using a three-step multinomial logistic regression controlling for age, gender, ACEs, and negative life events.
Results:
Four profiles emerged: Low CPTSD-Low PTG (13%, n = 969), Moderate CPTSD-Low PTG (24%, n = 1,702), Low CPTSD-High PTG (58%, n = 4,162), and High CPTSD-Low PTG (5%, n = 368). Higher positive self-compassion predicted greater odds of the Low CPTSD-High PTG profile (OR = 1.24) and lower odds of Moderate CPTSD-Low PTG (OR = 0.73) and High CPTSD-Low PTG (OR = 0.56) profiles. Higher negative self-compassion predicted greater odds of Moderate CPTSD-Low PTG (OR = 2.20) and High CPTSD-Low PTG (OR = 3.10) profiles, but not Low CPTSD-High PTG.
Conclusions:
Complex PTSD and PTG co-occurrence is heterogeneous among young adults with ACEs. Positive and negative self-compassion show asymmetric, profile-specific associations, supporting their differential influence on distress versus growth.
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