Adverse childhood experiences and fear of happiness: serial mediation by belongingness and dating anxiety

Abstract

Adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) constitute the foundation of many problems in an individual's life. Among these are a diminished sense of belonging and heightened anxiety, particularly in the context of romantic relationships. Individuals who suffer from anxiety in romantic relationships frequently worry about being rejected or feeling inadequate. Under this emotional strain, people could doubt chances to capture happiness. In this study, the serial mediation effects of belongingness and dating anxiety were examined in the ACEs - fear of happiness link. The sample consists of 346 participants (M = 22.82, SD = 3.37). The mediating role was assessed using the bootstrap method through structural equation modeling (SEM) to verify the presence of mediation. SEM indicated that belongingness and dating anxiety were significant mediators in the association between ACEs and fear of happiness. According to the results, ACEs may increase fear of happiness, which may arise as a consequence of low belongingness and high dating anxiety. As a result, happiness may be hindered by ACEs as well as by poor connection with other people and the degree of anxiety they experience about establishing and maintaining romantic relationships. Based on these findings, it is recommended to develop early intervention programs and support services for individuals with ACEs. These programs can focus on enhancing feelings of belongingness and reducing dating anxiety, thereby mitigating fear of happiness.