Modeling the Relationships Among Childhood Trauma, Reward Sensitivity, and Addiction Severity: The Mediating Role of Emotion Dysregulation and the Moderating Role of Self-Compassion
Keywords:
childhood trauma, reward sensitivity, addiction severity, emotion dysregulation, self-compassionAbstract
This study aimed to model the relationships among childhood trauma, reward sensitivity, and addiction severity by examining the mediating role of emotion dysregulation and the moderating role of self-compassion. This descriptive-correlational study used structural equation modeling. The statistical population consisted of adults with substance use disorders attending addiction treatment and rehabilitation centers in Tehran in 2026. A total of 360 participants were selected through convenience sampling. Data were collected using the Childhood Trauma Questionnaire, the Reward Sensitivity subscale, the Addiction Severity Index, the Difficulties in Emotion Regulation Scale, and the Self-Compassion Scale. Pearson correlation, path analysis, structural equation modeling, 5,000-sample bootstrapping, and simple-slope analysis were used to analyze the data. The structural model demonstrated satisfactory fit (χ²/df = 1.71, CFI = 0.992, TLI = 0.975, RMSEA = 0.044, SRMR = 0.021). Childhood trauma (β = 0.41, p < 0.001) and reward sensitivity (β = 0.31, p < 0.001) significantly and positively predicted emotion dysregulation. Emotion dysregulation significantly predicted greater addiction severity (β = 0.43, p < 0.001), whereas self-compassion had a significant negative effect on addiction severity (β = -0.18, p < 0.001). The indirect effects of childhood trauma and reward sensitivity on addiction severity through emotion dysregulation were significant. The interaction between emotion dysregulation and self-compassion was also significant and negative (β = -0.13, p < 0.001), indicating that higher self-compassion weakened the association between emotion dysregulation and addiction severity. Emotion dysregulation appears to be a central mechanism through which childhood trauma and reward sensitivity contribute to addiction severity, while self-compassion may buffer the adverse impact of emotion dysregulation. Integrating trauma-informed assessment, emotion-regulation interventions, and self-compassion enhancement may therefore improve prevention and treatment strategies for substance use disorders.
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Copyright (c) 1404 Fatemeh Irandoust (Corresponding author)
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