Gender-specific Predictors of Resilient Functioning After Childhood Adversity: A Residuals Approach with Structural Equation Modeling

Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) increase the risk of depressive symptoms in adulthood. Resilience, the ability to sustain or recover well-being despite adversity, is influenced by early supportive relationships and social connections. These protective factors may differ by gender, yet little research has examined these dynamics in Latin America. We analyzed data from a representative urban sample of Chilean adults (N = 2,101; aged 18–65), drawn from the Chile National Survey of Adversity. Depressive symptoms were regressed on ACEs and socioeconomic status; residuals indicated resilient functioning. Exploratory factor analysis identified latent factors, and gender-stratified structural equation models assessed their associations with resilient functioning. Three factors emerged: Positive Childhood Experiences, Closeness to Friends in Need, and Empathetic Concern. Among women, positive experiences and friendship closeness predicted resilience, whereas Empathetic Concern was linked to less resilient functioning. No associations were found among men. The findings underscore gender-specific resilience pathways, identifying predictors associated with greater resilient functioning exclusively in women, while also suggesting that interpersonal empathy may place emotional demands on women that compromise resilient functioning.