The Mediating Role of Rumination and Depression in the Relationship of Mothers’ Adverse Childhood Experiences and Mother-Adolescent Relationship

Akan S.

5 th international conference on neuroscience and pschiatry , Paris, France, 26 - 27 November 2025, pp.5-6, (Full Text)

  • Publication Type: Conference Paper / Full Text
  • City: Paris
  • Country: France
  • Page Numbers: pp.5-6
  • Acibadem Mehmet Ali Aydinlar University Affiliated: No

Abstract

Adolescence is a developmental stage in which family relationships undergo significant change. During this period, adolescents seek greater independence, while parents may struggle to adjust. This dynamic often creates conflict, particularly between mothers and adolescents. Such conflict may stem from adolescents’ developmental needs, but maternal characteristics can also play a role.

The present study examined the effect of maternal adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) on the mother–adolescent relationship and investigated the mediating roles of maternal depression and rumination. The sample included 166 married mothers with children aged 11–20 years. Data were collected using a demographic information form, the Adverse Childhood Experiences Scale, the Parent–Adolescent Relationship Questionnaire, the Beck Depression Inventory, and the Ruminative Thought Style Questionnaire. Mediation analyses were conducted using Hayes’ (2009) Process Macro for SPSS (Model 6).In the analyses, ACEs were the independent variable (X), mother–adolescent relationship the dependent variable (Y), and depression (M1) and rumination (M2) the mediators. Findings revealed that depression significantly mediated the relationship between ACEs and the mother–adolescent relationship [a1b1 = (.80 × .36) = .29], with the bootstrap confidence interval excluding zero (CI [.015, .678]). However, the indirect pathway through rumination [a2b2 = (.16 × .00) = .00] was not significant (CI [−.068, .061]). Similarly, the sequential mediation of depression and rumination [a1a3b2 = (.80 × 1.27 × .00) = .00] was not significant (CI [−.072, .064]).

These results suggest that maternal depression, but not rumination, mediates the association between adverse childhood experiences and the quality of the mother–adolescent relationship. The findings highlight the importance of addressing maternal mental health when considering intergenerational influences on family relationships and are discussed in light of the existing literature.