The mediating effect of personality on the relationship between childhood abuse and adult aggression and emotionality

The relationship between adverse childhood experiences (ACEs), life history, aggressive behaviour, and emotional regulation has been explored extensively, but the moderating role of personality in these dynamics remains insufficiently understood. Hence, the primary aim of this study is to investigate the effects of childhood sexual abuse (CSA) on aggression, emotion regulation, and personality traits in a sample of Portuguese adults. This is a cross-sectional study including 609 individuals of Portuguese descent who are 18 years old or older who were assessed through an online data collection approach. The variables under scrutiny were assessed by the Impulsive and Premeditated Aggression Scale, the Life History of Aggression Questionnaire, the Childhood Adversity History Questionnaire, the Emotional Regulation Difficulties Scale, the NEO-Five Factor Inventory, and the Triarchic Psychopathy Measure Screening. Findings reveal that CSA significantly predicts aggressive behaviour (16.7%) and emotion dysregulation (9.5%), with higher levels observed in individuals exposed to CSA, especially men. Additionally, CSA correlates with neuroticism (3.1%) and psychopathy traits like disinhibition (13.7%) and meanness (13.4%), though not boldness. Gender differences indicate that neuroticism is higher in men, while women show greater openness and conscientiousness. The research underscores that CSA contributes to the development of adverse personality traits and behaviours due to emotional and social disruptions. Also, psychopathic traits mediate the relationship between ACEs and adult aggression through several pathways, and personality mediates the relationship between ACEs and life history strategies as well as emotional regulation through its influence on impulsivity, risk-taking, emotional stability, and coping mechanisms.