The Occurrence of and Distress From Pathogenic Beliefs: Examining Pathways From Childhood Adversity to Psychopathology

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Main Authors: George Silberschatz, Xiaochen Luo, James McCollum, David Kealy
Format: Artículo Open Access
Published: Wiley 2025
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author George Silberschatz
Xiaochen Luo
James McCollum
David Kealy
author_facet George Silberschatz
Xiaochen Luo
James McCollum
David Kealy
George Silberschatz
Xiaochen Luo
James McCollum
David Kealy
collection Wiley Open Access
contents The Occurrence of and Distress From Pathogenic Beliefs: Examining Pathways From Childhood Adversity to Psychopathology George Silberschatz Xiaochen Luo James McCollum David Kealy Clinical Psychology & Psychotherapy ABSTRACT Introduction Pathogenic beliefs are dysfunctional beliefs that impede the pursuit of adaptive goals, which have been shown as key pathways between early childhood trauma and psychopathology. This study examined whether the occurrence of pathogenic beliefs and the distress from having pathogenic beliefs, which were assessed through the latest version of the pathogenic belief scale (PBS‐21) separately, would both mediate the childhood adversity‐outcome relationship, and whether reactivity of pathogenic beliefs (standardized difference between distress and occurrence) moderates them. Methods A total of 390 adult participants with prior psychotherapy experience were recruited from the United Kingdom online. Participants completed self‐report measures assessing perceived adverse parenting, psychopathology (depression, anxiety, general distress and interpersonal problems) and pathogenic beliefs (occurrence, distress and reactivity). Results Both occurrence and distress of pathogenic beliefs fully mediated the relationship between adverse parenting and depressive/anxiety symptoms and general distress, and partially mediated interpersonal problems. Reactivity significantly moderated the pathway from adverse parenting to pathogenetic beliefs. Individuals who reported more adverse parenting and were categorized as having higher reactivity were more likely to develop pathogenic beliefs and experience greater psychological distress. Discussion These findings align with prior research showing that pathogenic beliefs are key in the association between childhood adversity and psychopathology. The study supports the validity of the PBS‐21 and demonstrates the value of assessing the occurrence of pathogenic beliefs and the distress from having these beliefs separately. Reactivity to pathogenic beliefs may serve as a clinically meaningful marker for identifying individuals with resilience and tailoring interventions accordingly. 10.1002/cpp.70163 http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
doi_str_mv 10.1002/cpp.70163
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spellingShingle The Occurrence of and Distress From Pathogenic Beliefs: Examining Pathways From Childhood Adversity to Psychopathology
George Silberschatz
Xiaochen Luo
James McCollum
David Kealy
Clinical Psychology & Psychotherapy
The Occurrence of and Distress From Pathogenic Beliefs: Examining Pathways From Childhood Adversity to Psychopathology George Silberschatz Xiaochen Luo James McCollum David Kealy Clinical Psychology & Psychotherapy ABSTRACT Introduction Pathogenic beliefs are dysfunctional beliefs that impede the pursuit of adaptive goals, which have been shown as key pathways between early childhood trauma and psychopathology. This study examined whether the occurrence of pathogenic beliefs and the distress from having pathogenic beliefs, which were assessed through the latest version of the pathogenic belief scale (PBS‐21) separately, would both mediate the childhood adversity‐outcome relationship, and whether reactivity of pathogenic beliefs (standardized difference between distress and occurrence) moderates them. Methods A total of 390 adult participants with prior psychotherapy experience were recruited from the United Kingdom online. Participants completed self‐report measures assessing perceived adverse parenting, psychopathology (depression, anxiety, general distress and interpersonal problems) and pathogenic beliefs (occurrence, distress and reactivity). Results Both occurrence and distress of pathogenic beliefs fully mediated the relationship between adverse parenting and depressive/anxiety symptoms and general distress, and partially mediated interpersonal problems. Reactivity significantly moderated the pathway from adverse parenting to pathogenetic beliefs. Individuals who reported more adverse parenting and were categorized as having higher reactivity were more likely to develop pathogenic beliefs and experience greater psychological distress. Discussion These findings align with prior research showing that pathogenic beliefs are key in the association between childhood adversity and psychopathology. The study supports the validity of the PBS‐21 and demonstrates the value of assessing the occurrence of pathogenic beliefs and the distress from having these beliefs separately. Reactivity to pathogenic beliefs may serve as a clinically meaningful marker for identifying individuals with resilience and tailoring interventions accordingly. 10.1002/cpp.70163 http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
title The Occurrence of and Distress From Pathogenic Beliefs: Examining Pathways From Childhood Adversity to Psychopathology
topic Clinical Psychology & Psychotherapy
url https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/cpp.70163