The Dark Shadow of Childhood Adversity: An Exploration of the Impact of ACEs on Playfulness

Abstract

This dissertation examines adult playfulness, a construct linked to psychological health and relational well-being, whose origins are not well known. To address this gap, Chapter 1 draws on developmental frameworks and situates playfulness within the literatures of attachment, play, psychological well-being, and adversity. Chapter 2 presents a conceptual manuscript that reviews research on adversity, specifically Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs), depression, and protective factors such as emotional memories of warmth and safety. Chapter 3 presents an empirical study examining whether ACEs predict adult playfulness and whether depressive symptoms and early emotional memories of warmth and safeness moderate this relationship. A sample of 299 English-speaking adults living in the United States completed an online survey assessing ACEs, current levels of playfulness, current depressive symptoms, and retrospective memories of warmth and safeness. Moderated multiple regression analyses indicated that ACEs alone did not significantly predict overall playfulness. An interaction emerged between ACEs and depressive symptoms, such that higher ACE exposure was associated with lower playfulness in adults with more depressive symptoms. The interaction between memories of warmth and safety and ACEs was not significant. Exploratory analyses of playfulness facets revealed generally weak effects, with a slight association between depressive symptoms and spontaneity. Findings suggest that playfulness may not be shaped solely by early experiences but is sensitive to current emotional states. Clinically, the results highlight the importance of addressing depressive symptoms among adults with histories of adversity while also considering interventions that support playfulness.