The Impact of Negative Life Events on Individuals with Childhood Adverse Experiences: The Development of Paranoid Thinking and Rule-Breaking Behaviour

Abstract Individuals with adverse childhood experiences and negative life events in adulthood may be particularly vulnerable to psychological stressors that can contribute to psychological difficulties. Paranoid thinking and rule-breaking behaviour are important outcomes in understanding maladaptive responses to traumatic experiences. Early traumatic experiences may predispose individuals to maladaptive coping mechanisms, including paranoid ideation and antisocial behaviour, potentially through cognitive distortions or the misinterpretation of social cues. A total of 138 participants were included in the final analyses. The study examined the relationships between adverse childhood experiences, negative life events, paranoid thinking, and rule-breaking behaviour. The results indicated a significant positive association between adverse childhood experiences and rule-breaking behaviour, while adverse childhood experiences were also significantly associated with persecutory beliefs. In contrast, negative life events in adulthood did not significantly predict paranoid thinking. These findings contribute to understanding the potential long-term psychological and behavioural correlates of childhood adversity. Theoretical and practical implications are considered alongside the conceptual and methodological limitations of the study and recommendations for future research.