Relationship Between Adverse Childhood Experiences and Anxiety Symptoms among Youth: The Mediating Roles of Positive Childhood Experiences and Meaning in Life

Introduction

Childhood experiences play a decisive role in individuals’ emotional, cognitive, and social development. Adverse childhood experiences (ACEs), in particular, can have long-term effects on individuals’ mental health, while positive childhood experiences (PCEs) are thought to mitigate these effects. In recent years, there has been increasing interest in the possibility that individual psychological resources, such as the meaning in life, may also play a significant role in this process. However, knowledge about how these relationships are shaped is limited. This study examines the relationship between ACEs and anxiety symptoms among youth in Turkey and aims to investigate the mediating role of PCEs and meaning in life in this relationship. A review of the literature indicates that early life experiences can have both positive and adverse effects on an individual’s long-term mental health (Bethell et al., 2019; Cicchetti & Toth, 2009; Kocatürk & Çiçek, 2023; Narayan et al., 2018; Nelson et al., 2020; Şanli et al., 2024; Ünsal et al., 2025). Among these, ACEs -including abuse, neglect, household dysfunction, and witnessing domestic violence—have been extensively associated with a wide range of negative psychological outcomes, such as anxiety, depression, and post-traumatic stress (Felitti et al., 1998; Hughes et al., 2017). These early adversities can disrupt neurodevelopment and impair emotional regulation, leading to heightened vulnerability to anxiety symptoms during adolescence and emerging adulthood (Almeida et al., 2021; Kessler et al., 2005). While the detrimental effects of ACEs are well-documented, less attention has been given to the protective factors that may buffer their impact. In particular, PCEs, such as supportive relationships, a sense of safety, and community belonging, have recently been recognized as potentially mitigating the harmful consequences of early adversity (Bethell et al., 2019). Yet, the mechanisms through which these experiences operate remain insufficiently understood. One promising pathway involves the role of meaning in life (C. L. Park, 2010; Steger et al., 2006).

Adverse Childhood Experiences

ACEs have an important place among childhood experiences (Felitti et al., 1998). In the existing literature, ACEs include situations related to traumatic events experienced by individuals before the age of 18; insecurity, physical, sexual, and psychological abuse, neglect, domestic dysfunction and violence, instability, and insecure attachment (Felitti et al., 1998; Metzler et al., 2017). ACEs include mental illness, poverty, an unsafe family environment, bullying, stressful events, exposure to maltreatment during childhood, and imprisonment of a family member (Fassel et al., 2019; Merrick et al., 2018). ACEs are associated with a range of mental health disorders and have been shown to exert detrimental effects. These adversities often emerge at early ages and may contribute to more severe cognitive and health-related problems later in life (Bellis et al., 2019; Folger et al., 2018; Hughes et al., 2017; Sahle et al., 2021). A wide range of studies has demonstrated that ACEs have a negative and multifacetedly impact on individuals’ physical, social, and emotional well-being (Bellis et al., 2014; Bethell et al., 2019; Coronado et al., 2024; Dye et al., 2024; Fu et al., 2024; Monnat & Chandler, 2015). In their meta-analysis study, Madigan et al. (2023) found that more than 60% of adults had at least one ACE before age 18. In this context, it can be evaluated that ACEs are very common globally and cause serious health problems (Felitti et al., 1998; Subramaniam et al., 2020; Wen & Demutska, 2025).

Additionally, it has been indicated that ACEs have a positive relationship with disruptive variables such as anxiety (Annett et al., 2023; Haahr-Pedersen et al., 2020; Qu et al., 2022; Schneider et al., 2020; Xu et al., 2022; Zhu et al., 2025), depression (Banks, 2023; Haahr-Pedersen et al., 2020; Kim et al., 2023; Qu et al., 2022; Sun et al., 2017; Tzouvara et al., 2023; Xu et al., 2022; Yu et al., 2021), problematic internet use, hostility and loneliness (Lin & Chiao, 2024), substance use and mental problems (Coronado et al., 2024; Loudermilk et al., 2018), asthma (Mock & Arai, 2011; Sun et al., 2017), alcohol consumption (Coronado et al., 2024; Loudermilk et al., 2018), cardiovascular diseases (Qiao et al., 2024), and sleep problems (Chapman et al., 2011; Coronado et al., 2024). Existing literature demonstrates that the adverse effects of ACEs are profound. For example, previous studies have identified a negative relationship between ACEs and PCEs (Crouch et al., 2024), sleep quality and academic success (Qu et al., 2024), meaning in life (Arslan et al., 2022), as well as resilience (Haczkewicz et al., 2024). More specifically, individuals who were exposed to negative experiences during childhood have less secure attachments and show more mental problems (You et al., 2014) and aggression (Almeida et al., 2024). In sum, exposure to ACEs has been associated with a wide range of negative mental, cognitive, and social health outcomes across the lifespan (Bethell et al., 2019; Gajos et al., 2022; Lin & Chiao, 2024; Savla et al., 2013; Y. B. Zhang et al., 2023).

Positive Childhood Experiences

PCEs, frequently conceptualized in the literature as protective counterparts to ACEs, play a fundamental role in fostering individuals’ psychological well-being and holistic development throughout the lifespan (Bethell et al., 2019; Crandall et al., 2019). PCEs include elements such as positive relationships with parents and other adults, home routines, comfort-providing beliefs, opportunities to have fun and participate in the community, eating regularly, taking regular daily walks, positive parenting, school engagement having financial security, meaningful beliefs, and having good neighbors (Baglivio & Wolff, 2021; Bethell et al., 2019; Çiçek and Çeri, 2021; Masten and Barnes, 2018; Narayan et al., 2018; Şanli et al., 2024). In the past decade, there has been a growing body of research focusing on PCEs (Bethell et al., 2019; Crouch et al., 2021; Han et al., 2023; Lowe et al., 2024; Şanli et al., 2024). These studies consistently demonstrate that PCEs exert protective and beneficial effects on mental health and overall well-being. For instance, individuals reporting higher levels of PCEs tend to experience lower levels of stress (Hou et al., 2022), as well as alleviated symptoms of anxiety and depression (Bethell et al., 2019; Crandall et al., 2020; Qu et al., 2022; Şanli et al., 2024; Wang et al., 2021). Furthermore, research has shown that PCEs are associated with the attenuation of the detrimental effects of ACEs (Keane et al., 2025; Luo et al., 2024) and a reduction in feelings of loneliness (Doom et al., 2021; Kocatürk & Çiçek, 2023; Ünsal et al., 2025). A study conducted among adolescents found that PCEs significantly attenuated the relationship between ACEs and delinquent behavior, indicating a moderating role of PCEs (Novak & Fagan, 2022). High levels of PCEs contribute to a positive body image (Xu et al., 2022), enhanced psychological resilience and self-esteem (Kocatürk & Çiçek, 2023), increased happiness (Öztekin, 2024), more positive parenting attitudes (Morris et al., 2021), improved quality of life (Luo et al., 2024), greater overall well-being (Samji et al., 2024; X. Zhang et al., 2024), and healthier interpersonal relationships (Narayan et al., 2018). PCEs play an important role in diminishing the destructive effects of ACEs in later stages. Numerous studies have found that PCEs mitigate the impacts of ACEs on stressful, challenging life events and post-traumatic stress disorder (Almeida et al., 2024; Crandall et al., 2019; Narayan et al., 2018; Ross et al., 2020). Similarly, high levels of PCEs have been found to act as a protective buffer against potential negative mental health outcomes associated with ACEs (Crandall et al., 2020; Hou et al., 2022; Kuhar & Zager Kocjan, 2021; Luo et al., 2024; Poole et al., 2017).

Meaning in Life

The prediction of anxiety symptoms by ACEs can be mediated by several variables, particularly meaning in life (Kwok et al., 2024). The concept of meaning in life can be defined as the degree to which people understand the importance of their lives, see life as meaningful, and believe that they have a purpose, mission, or general purpose in life, and the ability to perceive themselves and the outside world (Heintzelman & King, 2014; Steger & Frazier, 2005; Steger et al., 2009). Individuals with a strong sense of meaning in life are better equipped to cope with life’s challenges and maintain psychological stability, are more positive in the context of mental health, and have higher levels of control and predictability over unexpected events (George & Park, 2017; Li et al., 2021). Having a high level of meaning in life is positively associated with positive mental health and strong social support (Arslan et al., 2022; Debats et al., 1993; Krause, 2007), well-being (Afrashteh et al., 2024; Ho et al., 2010), and psychological resilience (Yıldırım et al., 2021). It is also associated with less anxiety (Chen et al., 2021; Cömert et al., 2016) and psychological abuse (Arslan et al., 2022). In addition, a systematic review study found that eight positive psychological factors, including meaning in life, reduce the risk level of ACEs (Stevenson, 2024), and another study found that meaning in life plays a protective role against ACEs (Kwok et al., 2024). All these research results on meaning in life are evidence that meaning in life is a crucial parameter in strengthening the protective power and positive aspects of the individual.

Anxiety Symptoms

Anxiety is a psychological disorder that significantly affects individuals’ cognition, interpersonal and social functioning, and physical health (Costello et al., 2005; Teubert & Pinquart, 2011). That being said, anxiety consists of a series of cognitive, emotional, physical, and behavioral changes (Vallance & Fernandez, 2016). In addition, anxiety symptoms manifest themselves at every stage of the life cycle, particularly among young people, where they can significantly impact emotional well-being, social functioning, and overall quality of life (Çeri & Çiçek, 2021; Çiçek et al., 2021; Cohen et al., 2018). The prevalence of many mental health disorders, such as anxiety symptoms, is reported to be higher among adolescents and young people (Kieling et al., 2024). This finding suggests that the younger population is more vulnerable to anxiety. Previous research revealed that there is a positive relationship between anxiety symptoms and ACEs and that ACEs have an increasing effect on anxiety symptoms (Haahr-Pedersen et al., 2020; Schneider et al., 2020). Furthermore, some studies have shown that anxiety has a positive relationship with negative variables such as smoking (Morissette et al., 2007), depression (Şanli et al., 2024), family conflict and sleep problems (Çiçek & Yıldırım, 2025), and stress (Phillips et al., 2015). On the other hand, anxiety appears to be negatively related to PCEs (Şanli et al., 2024; Wang et al., 2021), meaning in life (Chen et al., 2021), well-being (Gago et al., 2024), social support (Meshi & Ellithorpe, 2021), and psychological resilience (Hjemdal et al., 2011). A study conducted on Chinese adolescents found that anxiety symptoms were positively associated with ACEs (Chi et al., 2022). Anxiety is a widespread mental health concern, particularly among youth, with ACEs serving as significant predictors of elevated anxiety symptoms later in life (Felitti et al., 1998; McLaughlin et al., 2010). Understanding the mechanisms that not only predict but also potentially reduce anxiety is crucial for effective intervention. PCEs have been identified as important protective factors that can buffer the negative impact of ACEs and decrease anxiety symptoms (Bethell et al., 2019; Narayan et al., 2018). In addition, a strong sense of meaning in life has been linked to lower levels of anxiety, functioning as a psychological resource that fosters resilience against stress (Şanli et al., 2024; Steger, 2012). When viewed as a whole, it can be assessed that anxiety symptoms have a destructive power on individuals’ positive mental health and positive strengths.

Present Study

A substantial body of research has demonstrated that ACEs exert a profoundly deleterious influence on individual development, often increasing the risk of maladaptive outcomes in adulthood (Felitti et al., 1998; Hughes et al., 2017). However, despite the growing awareness of these detrimental effects, there remains a relative paucity of research exploring the role of protective and buffering factors that may mitigate the impact of ACEs (Almeida et al., 2024). In particular, constructs such as PCEs and meaning in life have not been sufficiently examined (Bethell et al., 2019; Steger et al., 2009). This gap in the literature highlights the need for further investigation into the potential of these positive variables to counterbalance the long-term consequences of early adversity. Based on the literature review and practice, the current study aims to examine the potential mediating roles of PCEs and meaning in life in the relationship between ACEs and anxiety symptoms. Although there are many studies on ACEs in the current literature (Haahr-Pedersen et al., 2020; Keyes et al., 2012; Kwok et al., 2024; Marini et al., 2024; Metzler et al., 2017), no research has been found investigating the mediating roles of PCEs and meaning in life in the relationship between ACEs and different variables. With this dimension, it is thought that the current study will contribute to the field and enable new studies. Notably, in the current study, we aimed to investigate whether PCEs and meaning in life would have a protective effect on anxiety symptoms and mitigate the adversities of ACEs. Our basic assumption is that even if individuals are exposed to ACEs in childhood, their PCEs and levels of meaning in life will play a shielding role against the destructive effects of ACEs. To this end, four study hypotheses were defined. (H1) ACEs will be negatively associated with PCEs; (H2) ACEs will be negatively associated with meaning in life; (H3) ACEs will be positively associated with anxiety symptoms; (H4) PCEs and meaning in life will mediate the association between ACEs and anxiety symptoms.

Methods

Data Analysis

The data analysis for the study was conducted following the steps outlined below. First, an analysis was conducted to determine descriptive statistics, observed scale properties, normality values, the scale’s Cronbach’s alpha values, and correlations among the variables in the study. For normality, the skewness and kurtosis values of the variables are ≤|2| varies between (Kline, 2015). The findings indicate that the normality assumption of the skewness and kurtosis scores of the scales used in the study was met (see Table 1). Correlations between study variables were analyzed with Pearson Product-moment Correlation Coefficients. To examine whether PCEs and meaning in life mediate the relationship between ACEs and anxiety symptoms, parallel mediation analysis was conducted using Hayes’ PROCESS macro (Model 4) for SPSS (Hayes, 2017). This method allows simultaneous testing of multiple mediators and aligns with our theoretical framework, which posits concurrent mediation effects. Multicollinearity among predictor variables was assessed by calculating variance inflation factors (VIF) and tolerance statistics. All VIF values were below 5 and tolerance values exceeded 0.2, indicating no multicollinearity issues (O’Brien, 2007). In this model, ACEs were specified as the independent variable, anxiety symptoms as the dependent variable, and PCEs and meaning in life as mediators. Indirect effects were tested using a bias-corrected bootstrap method with 5,000 resamples. The 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated, and statistical significance was evaluated at the 05 level (α = .05).

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Table 1.

Descriptive Statistics and Correlation Matrix.

Variable	Descriptive statistics					Correlations
	Mean	SD	Skewness	Kurtosis	α	1.	2.	3.	4.
1. Positive childhood experiences	22.56	5.75	−0.27	−0.85	.77	—	.44**	−.48**	−.14**
2. Meaning in life	30.37	8.69	0.84	0.044	.88	—	—	−.25**	−.12**
3. Adverse childhood experiences	2.39	3.38	−0.23	1.04	.74	—	—	—	.15**
4. Anxiety symptoms	17.51	12.71	0.76	0.07	.93	—	—	—	—

**

Correlation is significant at the .01 level.

Results

The preliminary results revealed that the kurtosis and skewness values ranged from −1.04 to −0.88, indicating that all measures followed a normal distribution (see Table 1). The Pearson product-moment correlation analysis revealed that ACEs were negatively correlated with PCEs (r = −.48) and meaning in life (r = −.25), while exhibiting a positive correlation with anxiety symptoms (r = .15). PCEs were positively correlated with meaning in life (r = .44) and negatively correlated with anxiety symptoms (r = −.14). Moreover, meaning in life showed a negative correlation with anxiety symptoms (r = −.12; see Table 1). The results indicated that ACEs were a significant predictor of both PCEs (β = −.48, p < .001) and meaning in life (β = −.25, p < .001).

Mediation Analysis

In the mediation model analysis, the independent variable is ACEs, and the dependent variable is anxiety symptoms. The mediator variables in the study are PCEs and meaning in life. Our main goal here is to clarify the effects of ACEs on anxiety symptoms. In addition, to define how much PCEs and meaning in life minimize the destructive impacts of ACEs. For this purpose, parallel mediation model analyses were conducted. Parallel mediation analysis is a statistical model used to understand how multiple mediators (i.e., variables that explain the relationship between an independent variable and a dependent variable) operate simultaneously but independently of each other (Hayes, 2017). A parallel mediation analysis was conducted using the bootstrapping resampling method to investigate the indirect effects of ACEs on anxiety symptoms through PCEs and meaning in life (see Figure 1, Tables 2 and 3). The analysis demonstrates that ACEs accounted for 23% of the variance in PCEs and 6% of the variance in meaning in life. Furthermore, ACEs (β = .12, p < .001), PCEs (β = −.13, p < .001), and meaning in life (β = −.10, p < .001) significantly predicted anxiety symptoms, collectively explaining 3% of the variance in anxiety symptoms. Additionally, the analysis revealed that ACEs had a significant indirect effect on anxiety symptoms through both PCEs (effect = 0.12, p < .001, 95% CI [0.05, 0.01]) and meaning in life (effect = 0.09, p < .001, [0.03, 0.02]). Similarly, the mediation analyses indicated that the total effect of ACEs on anxiety symptoms was significant and substantial (effect = 0.25, p < .001, [0.12, 0.38]). These findings suggest that PCEs and meaning in life partially mediated the relationship between ACEs and anxiety symptoms (see Table 3). The standardized indirect effects with 95% bias-corrected confidence intervals for anxiety symptoms are presented in Table 3.

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Figure 1.

The Mediation model depicts the associations between the variables.

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Table 2.

Unstandardized Coefficients for the Mediation Model.

Antecedent	Consequent
	M1 (Positive childhood experiences)
	Coeff.	SE	t	p
X (Adverse childhood experiences)	−.1.19	0.04	−24.43	<.001
Constant	25.42	0.15	16.55	<.001
	R2 = .23F = 596.84; p < .001
	M2 (Meaning in life)
X (Adverse childhood experiences)	−0.93	0.08	−11.59	<.001
Constant	32.65	0.25	13.29	<.001
	R2 = .06F = 134.44; p < .001
	Y (Anxiety symptoms)
X (Adverse childhood experiences)	0.47	0.13	3.47	<.001
M1 (Positive childhood experiences)	–0.12	0.03	–3.12	<.001
M2 (Meaning in life)	−0.11	0.06	−2.04	<.001
Constant	22.63	1.57	5.98	<.001
	R2 = .03F = 19.54; p < .001

Note. SE = standard error. Coeff = unstandardized coefficient. X = predictor variable; M = mediator variable; Y = outcome variable.

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Table 3.

Standardized Total and Indirect Effects of Tested Research Model.

Path	Effect	SE	BootLLCI	BootULCI
Total effect
Adverse childhood experiences –> Anxiety symptoms	0.25	0.11	0.12	0.38
Indirect effect
Adverse childhood experiences –> Positive childhood experiences –> Anxiety symptoms	0.12	0.05	0.01	0.23
Adverse childhood experiences –> Meaning in life –> Anxiety symptoms	0.09	0.03	0.02	0.16

Discussion

The current study endeavors to determine the mediating roles of PCEs and meaning in life in the relationship between ACEs and anxiety symptoms. This study thoroughly examines the complex relationships among ACEs, PCEs, anxiety symptoms, and meaning in life in youth. For the first time, it seeks to integrate these variables, thereby contributing to the advancement of the existing body of research. Our results indicated that the relationship between ACEs and anxiety symptoms was partially mediated by PCEs and meaning in life. These results highlight that PCEs and a sense of meaning in life mitigate the adverse effects of ACEs.

Results demonstrated a negative and significant relationship between ACEs and PCEs. Individuals who are exposed to more adverse experiences during childhood have fewer PCEs. In previous studies carried out on different age groups in parallel with the results of our present study, a negative and significant relationship was found between ACEs and PCEs (Almeida et al., 2024; Novilla et al., 2022; Qu et al., 2022; Seya et al., 2024). Karatzias et al. (2020) explained that individuals exposed to trauma and those with high levels of ACEs had fewer PCEs. Similarly, in a study conducted on disadvantaged adolescents, a negative and significant relationship was found between ACEs and PCEs (Wang et al., 2021). In a systematic review study, higher PCE levels were significantly positively and significantly associated with fever ACEs (Han et al., 2023).

Another result of our study was that a negative and significant relationship was found between ACEs and meaning in life. The result obtained from the study shows that the research (H₂) is confirmed. This situation can be explained as adverse experiences in childhood diminishing the level of individuals’ finding meaning and purpose in life. Many previous studies support the results of our research (Arslan et al., 2022; Jing & Ding, 2024; Kwok et al., 2024; Marini et al., 2024; Tang, 2023). It has been found that traumatic events experienced during childhood can lead to low meaning in life (Rose et al., 2023) and a negative relationship between exposure to neglect and abuse and meaning in life (Weibel et al., 2017). Particularly, ACEs can heighten individuals’ sensitivity to anxiety symptoms, thereby increasing their vulnerability to experiencing anxiety-related distress (Klauke et al., 2011; Marini et al., 2024).

The results of our study indicated a positive and statistically significant relationship between ACEs and anxiety symptoms. ACEs significantly predict anxiety symptoms. This result is consistent with our (H₃) study. When ACE levels rise in individuals, anxiety symptoms increase. The results of the current study are in alignment with those reported in previous research (Akter et al., 2025; Cougle et al., 2010; Marini et al., 2024). Elevated levels of ACEs have been found to correlate with increased anxiety symptoms (Caravaca-Sánchez et al., 2019; Gardner et al., 2019; Lindert et al., 2014). In a study conducted on Turkish university students, it was found that there was a positive and significant relationship between ACEs and anxiety (Cömert et al., 2016), and in a study carried out on homeless people in the United States, it was concluded that ACEs served as an important precursor to the increase in anxiety (Munoz et al., 2018). In addition, for instance, in studies conducted on children and adolescents, it has been reported that those exposed to ACEs experience more anxiety (Elmore & Crouch, 2020; Lee et al., 2020). Studies on the long-term destructiveness of ACEs have shown that negative experiences during childhood cause individuals to have higher levels of anxiety symptoms in their later years (Lian et al., 2024; Sachs-Ericsson et al., 2017). Therefore, the results of all these studies confirm that, as mentioned before, ACEs’ potentially negative and destructive impact continues throughout life (Lindert et al., 2014; Novilla et al., 2022).

Finally, it was revealed that the relationship between ACEs and anxiety symptoms was mediated by PCEs and meaning in life. This result shows that the (H₄) of our study is confirmed. It has been found that the effect of ACEs on anxiety symptoms is neutralized by PCEs, and meaning in life, and that they are partially mediated by PCEs and meaning in life.

Moreover, results revealed that PCEs and meaning in life can lessen the impact of ACEs on the development of anxiety symptoms in youth. The results obtained from our study suggest that having numerous positive experiences and gaining a sense of purpose in life may serve as a protective buffer, to some extent, against the detrimental effects of ACEs. Taken together, these results show that in individuals exposed to ACEs, the presence of PCEs and meaning in life could be more effective in protecting individuals from developing anxiety symptoms. Many studies have shown us that PCEs and meaning in life both have a protective role against ACEs and mitigate their devastating effects (Kwok et al., 2024; Poole et al., 2017; Qu et al., 2022). Conversely, no studies have been identified that explore the mediating roles of PCEs and meaning in life in the relationship between ACEs and anxiety symptoms. In this respect, the originality of our current study stands out. Some studies have found an important moderating role of PCEs in the relationship between ACEs exposure and depression risk (Qu et al., 2022; Samji et al., 2024). The study on adults in Portugal emphasized that PCEs moderated the relationship between ACEs and aggression (Almeida et al., 2024). With this dimension, it can be explained that PCEs are an important parameter in reducing the negative effects of ACEs. It has been determined that meaning in life mediates the relationship between ACEs and suicidal ideation (Zhong et al., 2024). In addition, a study of young adults revealed that meaning in life mediates the relationship between ACEs and psychological health and that meaning in life acts as a buffer against ACEs (Arslan et al., 2022). Moreover, the study on high school students observed that the relationship between ACEs and depression symptoms was mediated by meaning in life and that meaning in life was a strong positive source in minimizing the ACEs of adolescents (Tang, 2023). Previous studies confirm that other variables mediate the relationship between ACEs and different variables (Almeida et al., 2021). In a study conducted with asthma patients, the relationship between ACEs and asthma was mediated by depressive symptoms, and those with high levels of ACEs described themselves as more lonely and unhealthy (Sun et al., 2017). Also, it has been found that the relationship between ACEs and depression is mediated by psychological resilience and current stressful situations (Kelifa et al., 2020). Another remarkable study revealed that self-esteem critically mediated the relationship between ACEs, anxiety, stress, and depression and that those with ACEs were psychologically fragile (Annett et al., 2023). In summary, this discovery encourages further research on PCEs and meaning in life interventions and offers preliminary backing for enhancing youth PCEs and meaning in life through educational and social means.

Implications

The current study explores the multifaceted factors influencing anxiety symptoms, particularly emphasizing the interactive mechanisms between ACEs, PCEs, and meaning in life. By investigating these complex relationships, the study enriches the theoretical foundation for understanding the etiology and maintenance of anxiety symptoms and offers novel insights into their prevention and alleviation. The results revealed that increasing PCEs and fostering a strong sense of meaning in life can effectively diminish anxiety symptoms among Turkish youth. This underscores the protective role of positive early experiences and purposeful living in buffering the adverse psychological effects of childhood trauma. Moreover, the study underscores the detrimental impact of ACEs, reinforcing the necessity of addressing these early adverse experiences to mitigate vulnerability to anxiety. Another important implication of this study is the potential for developing more comprehensive, multidimensional interventions that simultaneously target the enhancement of PCEs and meaning in life while mitigating the harmful effects of ACEs. Such interventions could be integrated into schools, community programs, and clinical settings to support youth mental health more effectively. Furthermore, these findings call for increased societal awareness, policy focus, and investment in mental health services, particularly those aimed at early life experiences. A further significant implication of the current study is that interventions targeting mediating factors such as PCEs and meaning in life during critical developmental stages provide strong evidence for reducing anxiety symptoms and mitigating the detrimental effects of ACEs. Moreover, the findings underscore the importance of developing positive psychology-based programs aimed at enhancing essential life skills among youth and fostering a more positive life orientation. Besides, it provides educators, researchers, and mental health professionals with novel perspectives for addressing the profound consequences of ACEs. This contribution fills a critical gap in the existing literature and is expected to stimulate further research employing diverse samples and methodological approaches. Finally, this study encourages future research to further examine cultural factors specific to Turkish youth that may influence these relationships and to explore longitudinal designs to confirm causal pathways, thereby enhancing the effectiveness of targeted prevention strategies.

Implications for Practice and Policy

Clinical Practice: The findings underscore the critical importance of trauma-informed interventions that extend beyond addressing adverse experiences to actively fostering PCEs and meaning-making processes. Such evidence may guide the development of therapeutic approaches that integrate protective factors and existential components. Mental health professionals working with youth exposed to ACEs can enhance treatment effectiveness by implementing interventions that strengthen resilience, optimism, psychological well-being, and a sense of purpose.

Educational Settings: Schools serve as key environments for the early detection of psychological distress and the implementation of preventive measures. The present findings suggest that school-based interventions targeting protective factors—such as supportive peer relationships and the cultivation of meaning in life—may play a significant role in reducing anxiety symptoms among adolescents with a history of adversity. Educators and school counselors are encouraged to adopt curricula that build resilience and provide safe, inclusive spaces that promote emotional and psychological support.

Policy: This study reinforces the need for early screening of ACEs within both educational and healthcare systems. It also highlights the value of investing in community- and family-based protective resources. Policymakers should prioritize and allocate resources toward preventive initiatives that promote positive developmental experiences during childhood and support long-term mental health and well-being.

Limitations & Future Directions

Although the current study provides valuable implications for prevention and intervention, particularly in its innovative contributions and the protective mechanisms identified, it is important to acknowledge several limitations. Firstly, this study employed a cross-sectional design based on self-reports, which may have introduced bias in participants’ responses, potentially affecting the accuracy of their reported feelings. To address this limitation, future research could incorporate a range of methodological approaches, including longitudinal designs, experimental studies, and mixed methods, to complement self-reported data and enhance the robustness and validity of the findings. Secondly, while this study primarily focused on specific scales (ACEs, PCEs, BAI, and MLS), it did not incorporate other potential mediators, such as social support, coping strategies, or personality traits. Including additional variables could offer a more comprehensive understanding of the underlying mechanisms at play. Third, only the mediating roles of PCEs and meaning in life have been investigated in the relationship between ACEs and anxiety symptoms. It is suggested that examining the mediating roles of additional positive variables may be beneficial in mitigating the potential adverse effects of ACEs. Fourth, the study did not differentiate between categories of ACEs (physical, psychological, sexual abuse, etc.). This did not provide detailed information on how ACEs uniquely impact anxiety symptoms categorically. This could be considered a limitation of the study. Therefore, to overcome this limitation, future research would be wise to consider examining ACEs categories separately to gain more detailed insights. Furthermore, although the present study incorporated mediator variables, the lack of consideration of moderator variables constitutes a notable limitation. Future investigations should incorporate both mediator and moderator variables to enable a more comprehensive understanding of the relationships under study. Finally, the fact that the dataset was collected from a youth sample in Turkey represents a limitation regarding the generalizability of the findings. Future research could overcome this limitation by conducting intercultural studies and gathering data from youth across diverse cultural and regional contexts.

Conclusion

To sum up, the findings indicated that the relationship between ACEs and anxiety symptoms was mediated by PCEs and meaning in life. ACEs negatively and significantly predicted PCEs and meaning in life, whereas they positively and significantly predicted anxiety symptoms. Although the devastating effects of ACEs on individuals are strong, it can be evaluated that positive psychological elements such as PCEs and meaning in life play an important role in reducing these effects. From this respect, it is an undeniable fact that, especially during childhood, it is critical to carry out studies to ensure that children have more positive experiences at school and in social life. Because positive PCEs promote positive mental health outcomes and protect children from adversities, they play a crucial role in fostering resilience and supporting overall well-being throughout life. In addition, PCEs help individuals become healthier and more resilient in adulthood. In sum, one of the biggest outcomes of this study is that the effects of positive experiences in childhood have a developmental and protective power on individuals in their later lives, allowing them to emerge stronger from the difficult processes they experience. In addition, we understand that events in childhood have the potential to impact outcomes throughout life.