Childhood Psychological Maltreatment and Subjective Vitality: Longitudinal Mediating Effect of Cognitive Flexibility

Abstract

Childhood psychological maltreatment is an essential concept that can have an impact on an individual's physical and psychological health. The majority of studies on childhood psychological maltreatment used a cross-sectional design. The fact that this concept, which has a long-term effect on an individual's life, has not been investigated in longitudinal research has produced a gap in the literature. Our study aimed to examine the longitudinal relationship between childhood psychological maltreatment, cognitive flexibility, and subjective vitality. The role of cognitive flexibility in the relation between childhood psychological maltreatment and subjective vitality was investigated in a Turkish sample (N = 270). In order to explain the relationship, a cross-lagged panel study in two waves was conducted. The results revealed that cognitive flexibility longitudinally mediates the relationship between childhood psychological maltreatment and subjective vitality. This research indicates that childhood psychological maltreatment reduces cognitive flexibility, which in turn influences subjective vitality.