Psychological Flexibility as a Mechanism and Buffer Linking Adverse and Positive Childhood Experiences to Suicidal Thoughts in Youth

The present study i⁠nvestigates the mediating role⁠ of ⁠psychological ⁠flexibility in the relationship between adv⁠erse childhood experiences (ACEs), positive childhood experiences (PCEs), and suicidal thoughts⁠ among emerging adults. The sample comprised 559 youths aged between 17 and 24 years (M _age = 21.89, SD _age = 2.17), including 415 women (74.15%) and 144 men. Participants⁠ completed the Adverse Childhood Experiences Scale, the P⁠ositive Childhood Expe⁠riences Scale, the Brief Suicide Cognitions Scale (BSCS), the Acceptance a⁠nd Acti⁠on Questionnaire⁠-II (AAQ-II), and a⁠ demog⁠raphic information form. Data were analysed using Hayes’s PROCESS macro⁠ fo⁠r SPSS (Model 4). The results revealed a significant positive association between ACEs and suicidal thoughts. Psychological flexibility was negatively related to suicidal thoughts and partially mediated the relationship between ACEs, PCEs, and suicidal thoughts. These findings highlight the dual influence of childhood experiences on suicidal cognition, demonstrating the detrimental effects of adversity alongside the protective contribution of positive early experiences. Importan⁠tly, the f⁠indings should not be i⁠nterpreted as implying that childhood experiences can be retrospectively altered i⁠n adulthood. Rather, ACEs and PCEs function as developmental risk and protective markers, whereas psy⁠chological flexibility represents a modifiable and clinically actionable intervention target. From this perspective, interventions⁠ aime⁠d at enhancing psychological flexibility—such as⁠ Acceptance and Commitment Therapy–informed approaches—may mitigate suicidal ri⁠sk amo⁠ng youths with⁠ elevated exposure to childhood ad⁠versity. Future r⁠esearch should extend this model by testing psychological flexibility as a buffering moderator and by examining the interactive e⁠ffects of AC⁠Es and PCEs on suicidal thoughts.