International Journal of Behavioral Sciences

International Journal of Behavioral Sciences

Coping Through Fantasy: The Role of Difficulties in Emotion Regulation and Psychological Acceptance in the Link between Childhood Trauma and Maladaptive Daydreaming

Document Type : Original Article

Authors
Seyed Ali Kazemi-Rezaei 1
Marzie Hashemi 2
Farshad Ahmadi 3
Peyman Hatamian 4
1 Department of Psychology and Education, Faculty of Humanities, Khatam University, Tehran, Iran.
2 Department of Psychology and Educational Sciences, Faculty of Humanities, Khatam University, Tehran, Iran.
3 Department of Clinical Psychology, Sa.C; Islamic Azad University, Sanandaj,Iran.
4 Department of Psychology, Faculty of Literature and Humanities, Lorestan University, Khorramabad, Iran
10.30491/ijbs.2026.548674.2275
Abstract
Introduction: This study aimed to investigate the impact of childhood trauma on maladaptive daydreaming, considering the mediating roles of difficulties in emotion regulation and psychological acceptance.
Method: This cross-sectional, correlational study was conducted on a sample comprising nurses working in hospitals in Tehran in 2021. A total of 225 participants were selected through convenience sampling. Data were collected using the 16-item Maladaptive Daydreaming Scale (MDS-16; Somer et al.), the Childhood Trauma Questionnaire (CTQ; Bernstein et al.), the Difficulties in Emotion Regulation Scale (DERS; Gratz & Roemer), and the Acceptance and Action Questionnaire–II (AAQ-II; Bond et al.) Data analysis was performed using Pearson correlation, Structural Equation Modeling (SEM(.
Results: The SEM showed that childhood trauma had a small but significant positive direct effect on maladaptive daydreaming (β=0.12, p=0.027). Emotion regulation difficulties had a strong positive effect (β=0.47, p<0.001), while psychological acceptance had a significant negative effect (β=−0.18, p<0.001). Childhood trauma was associated with poorer emotion regulation (β=0.58) and lower acceptance (β=−0.51). Both variables significantly mediated the trauma–maladaptive daydreaming relationship.
Conclusion: According the findings of the present study, childhood trauma influenced maladaptive daydreaming directly and indirectly, with emotion regulation difficulties and psychological acceptance mediating this relationship among nurses.
Keywords
Acceptance
Childhood Trauma
Emotional Regulation
Maladaptive Daydreaming
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International Journal of Behavioral Sciences
Volume 19, Issue 4
Winter 2026
Pages 205-213