Esperienze Infantili Avverse e Salute Mentale Successiva: Il Ruolo della Regolazione Emotiva e dello Status di Gruppo LGBTQ+ – Uno Studio Comparativo in Turchia e Italia

The present study aimed to examine the associations between adverse childhood experiences (ACEs), emotion regulation strategies, and adult mental health, while considering possible differences between LGBTQ+ and non-LGBTQ+ individuals. Previous research has consistently shown that early adversity is related with mental health outcomes later in life. It has also identified emotion regulation as an important psychological process connected both to childhood adversity and adult psychological functioning. Minority stress theory was used as a culturally informed theoretical framework to help interpret group differences. Data were collected through a cross-sectional online questionnaire that is available in English, Italian, and Turkish languages. A total of 469 adults participated in the study. Participants completed validated self-report measures which assessed ACE exposure (ACE-Q), emotion regulation strategies (ERQ), psychological distress (DASS-21), and demographic information. Group status based on sexual orientation and gender identity was included as a contextual factor, and descriptive cross-national comparisons were conducted to explore possible contextual patterns. The results indicated that individuals who had more ACE exposure were more likely to have psychological distress and depression. ACEs were also associated with lower use of cognitive reappraisal which partially mediated the association between ACE exposure and mental health outcomes. LGBTQ+ participants reported significantly higher levels of ACE exposure than non-LGBTQ+ participants. In addition, Turkish participants reported higher ACEs than Italian participants. Overall, the findings suggest that, particularly cognitive reappraisal, emotion regulation represents an important psychological mechanism linking childhood adversity to adult mental health outcomes within broader social and cultural contexts.