The Moderating Role of Risk Attitude in the Relationship Between Childhood Stress and Depressive Symptoms

The present study explored the role of two types of uncertainty attitudes, that is, risk and ambiguity, in the relationship between childhood stress and depressive symptoms among 214 undergraduates. Participants completed an economic decision-making task designed to assess their attitudes towards risk and ambiguity. Risk attitude and ambiguity attitude were quantified using a theoretical model of decision-making under uncertainty. Childhood stress was measured by the Childhood Trauma Questionnaire (CTQ) and depressive symptoms by the Self-rating Depression Scale (SDS). Results indicated that higher levels of childhood stress were significantly associated with greater risk aversion but not with ambiguity attitude. Moreover, risk attitude statistically moderated the relationship between childhood stress and depressive symptoms, with gender differences emerging in the direction of this effect. Specifically, among females, increased risk aversion strengthened the association between childhood stress and depressive symptoms. In contrast, in males, greater risk aversion weakened this relationship. These findings suggest that risk attitude may operates in a context-dependent and gender-specific manner, highlighting the need for tailored interventions.