Childhood adversity and benevolent childhood experiences associated with attenuated psychotic symptoms: The role of depression and anxiety

Background Psychotic Experiences (PEs) represent subclinical experiences that may precede psychotic disorders and reflect broader psychopathology. Guided by the affective pathway hypothesis, this study examined potential indirect effects of depression and anxiety on associations between adverse childhood experiences (ACEs), bullying, and PEs in adolescents. Secondary aims were to assess the role of benevolent childhood experiences (BCEs) and the influence of parental mental health. Methods Data were drawn from the Northern Ireland Youth Wellbeing Survey ( N = 1299; aged 11–19 years). Using structural equation modelling (SEM) with bootstrapped standard errors, bullying, ACEs, BCEs, and parental psychological distress were entered as predictors of PEs through depression and anxiety latent variables. BCEs were modelled using linear and quadratic terms to test potential curvilinear protective effects. Results The SEM demonstrated good fit (Comparative fit index = 0.921, Tucker-Lewis index = 0.901, Root Mean Square Error of Approximation = 0.054, Standardized Root Mean Residual = 0.042). Bullying and ACEs significantly predicted higher depression and anxiety, while BCEs protective effects. Depression and anxiety significantly predicted PEs and served as indirect pathways linking bullying and ACEs to PEs. BCEs and parental distress demonstrated smaller protective and negative effects, respectively. Conclusions Findings are consistent with the affective pathway to psychosis, suggesting early adversity may contribute to PEs via internalising symptoms. Depression showed the largest indirect association, underscoring the need for early detection and intervention targeting comorbid affective symptoms. Fostering benevolent experiences and adopting trauma-informed, intergenerational approaches may mitigate risk and strengthen resilience.