ISSN : 1229-070X
Clinical interest in adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) has been growing. This study examined sequential therapeutic mediating effects of sensation-based ACE memory representation (S-rep) and three factors of fear of compassion(i.e., fear of compassion for others, fear of self-compassion, and fear of compassion from others) in the relationship between ACEs and emotion dysregulation (ED). After analyzing 512 participants with self-reported ACEs from an online panel who were mainly women, results indicated that the number of ACEs had positive relationships with S-rep, factors of fear of compassion, and ED. ACEs and ED were sequentially mediated by S-rep and each of the three fear of compassion factors. Other than fear of compassion from others, fear of compassion for others and fear of self-compassion were significant only when they were fully mediated by S-rep in the pathway from ACEs leading to ED. This study highlights therapeutic variables related to ED in ACE survivors, suggesting that ACE memory processing is a key component in treatment.