From childhood adversity to resilience: A serial mediation model involving positive humor styles and tolerance of ambiguity

Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) are associated with negative psychological outcomes in adulthood. This study examined the mechanisms through which ACEs influence resilience, considering positive humor and tolerance for ambiguity as mediators, and social media use as a potential moderator. A sample of 400 Italian young adults (aged 18–35) completed measures of ACEs, resilience, positive humor styles, tolerance for ambiguity, and social media use. Serial and moderated mediation analyses (PROCESS, 5000 bootstrap samples) indicated that ACEs negatively predict resilience. Positive humor and tolerance for ambiguity mediated this association, both individually and sequentially, showing that positive humor facilitates tolerance for ambiguity, which in turn enhances resilience. Social media use emerged as a moderator. These findings suggest that specific psychological resources play a protective role against the effects of ACEs, with implications for interventions aimed at enhancing resilience and well-being. • Adverse childhood experiences reduce adult resilience. • Positive humor and tolerance of ambiguity protect against their impact. • Excessive social media use amplifies the negative effects.