Effect of Adverse Childhood Experiences on Compensatory Consumption Behavior: The Mediating Role of Relative Deprivation

This study examines the relationships among adverse childhood experiences (ACEs), compensatory consumption behaviors, and relative deprivation. Using validated Chinese versions of the ACEs Questionnaire, Compensatory Consumption Scale, and Relative Deprivation Scale, we surveyed 394 college students. Correlation analyses, linear regression, and mediation tests revealed that: ACEs positively predicted compensatory consumption; relative deprivation significantly mediated this relationship, indicating that ACEs indirectly increase compensatory consumption through enhanced feelings of deprivation; and participants exposed to substance-abusing caregivers during childhood showed particularly pronounced compensatory consumption tendencies. These findings elucidate the psychological mechanisms through which childhood adversity may lead to excessive consumption in adulthood.