Psychology Commons^™

College Success 101: Resilience And Mental Health Mediate The Relationship Between Adverse Childhood Experiences And College Functioning, Mackenzie Crook

Psychological Science Undergraduate Honors Theses

Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) are potentially traumatic events that children experience during the first 18 years of their lives. They can lead to health risks, both physical and mental, later on in life (Felitti et al., 1998). One of the largest transitions a person will experience is the transition from being a child to becoming an adult. This transition is often paired with people entering college, and being able to function successfully in college is a vital part of this transition. College functioning is assessed through educational functioning, relational functioning, and psychological functioning (O’Donnell et al., 2018). The purpose of …

Anticipation, Autonomic Regulation, And Aces, Sadie K. Schiermeyer, Ella Bursky, Timothy Oakley, Emily Pyle

Science University Research Symposium (SURS)

Stress and anticipation are some of the most commonly talked about topics in the current age of self-help and wellness. Anticipatory stress has been found to aid in autonomic regulation and stress relief (Nasso et al., 2018). What’s more, adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) have been previously associated with a blunted response to stress, but the mechanisms have not been investigated. The primary aim of this study was to identify if the anticipation of a stressor significantly influenced an individual’s autonomic response. Additionally, it sought to identify any correlation between childhood trauma and individuals’ stress response. Participants were comprised of undergraduate …

Is The Relationship Between Adverse Childhood Experiences And Adult Belief In Paranormality Moderated By Locus Of Control?, Michelle Alessia Cardone M.S., M.A.

Selected Full Text Dissertations, 2011-

Research has established a relationship between adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) and belief in paranormal phenomena (Lawrence et al., 1994). In the present study, I sought to replicate this finding in more detail by examining seven dimensions of paranormality. Further, the current study investigated whether locus of control moderated the relationship between ACEs and paranormal belief. I hypothesized that ACEs positively correlated with paranormal belief. Further, I hypothesized that the relationship between ACEs and paranormal belief would be moderated by locus of control, such that, the stronger the internal locus of control, the weaker the relationship between ACEs and paranormal belief. …

Implementing A Strengths-Based Cbt Specialization For African American Girls, Myresha C. Hinton

Psychology Doctoral Specialization Projects

Historically, the African American community has experienced years of hardship and adversity. Beginning in the 17th century, enslaved African Americans were utilized for labor and labeled as “others” which in turn led the community to be viewed as inferior. With that preconceived notion, individuals were not allowed to obtain basic human rights (Oca & Bhugra, 2021). While there have been laws and regulations set for African Americans to have basic human rights, other forms of racism and discrimination have plagued the community for many decades. For example, systemic racism and healthcare disparities are other forms of discrimination that have seriously …

Relationship Between Childhood Trauma, ,Adverse Childhood Experiences, And Self-Management Of Type 1 And Type 2 Diabetes, Deserie J. Otoole

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

AbstractPoorly controlled diabetes is the result of lack of self-care, which contributes to complications, ill quality in life, the rise in health care costs, and early death. The purpose of this quantitative, nonexperimental study was to examine the extent to which diabetes type (Type 1 and Type 2), childhood trauma, and adverse childhood experiences predict diabetes self-management (glucose management, dietary control, physical activity, health care use, total self-management). Contemporary trauma theory suggests that early childhood trauma results in negative health-related consequences in adulthood. Standard multiple regression analyses showed that (a) higher levels of physical neglect and emotional abuse predicted poorer …

The Correlation Of Adverse Childhood Experiences And Pornography Consumption In Adulthood, Branden Henry

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Over the past 25 years, significant research has gone into understanding how adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) correlate with a variety of negative health and behavioral outcomes, while at the same time, pornography consumption has increased dramatically. However, limited research has been done to understand whether a relationship exists between ACEs and pornography consumption. Attachment theory, which was used as the theoretical framework for this study, includes the idea that childhood experiences play a major role in a person’s development of various behaviors throughout life, including coping mechanisms like pornography consumption. The purpose of this quantitative, cross-sectional, correlational study was to …

The Impact Of Teacher’S Understanding Of Childhood Trauma And Trauma-Informed Classrooms On Perceived Barriers And Comfort In Implementing School-Based Trauma Informed Practice, Alyssa Henry

PCOM Psychology Dissertations

The impact of trauma on children has become an area of increased awareness, as research has demonstrated the consequences of traumatic experiences on academic, behavioral, and emotional success. Teachers have a unique opportunity to support intervention and facilitate relationships with children, in order to reduce the impacts of trauma on later outcomes. Research has demonstrated positive outcomes of students when teachers are provided direct training in trauma-informed intervention; however, there is little research on the knowledge teachers have from their training programs and professional development related to trauma and trauma-informed educations and the impact on their attitudes and perceptions in …

The Correlation Of Adverse Childhood Experiences And Pornography Consumption In Adulthood, Branden Henry

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Over the past 25 years, significant research has gone into understanding how adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) correlate with a variety of negative health and behavioral outcomes, while at the same time, pornography consumption has increased dramatically. However, limited research has been done to understand whether a relationship exists between ACEs and pornography consumption. Attachment theory, which was used as the theoretical framework for this study, includes the idea that childhood experiences play a major role in a person’s development of various behaviors throughout life, including coping mechanisms like pornography consumption. The purpose of this quantitative, cross-sectional, correlational study was to …

Addressing The Impact Of Adverse Childhood Experiences Of Adults Through The Pastoral Counseling Ministry Of Victory Church, Joseph Randall Tapp

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Dr. Vincent Filetti's landmark 1998 study exposed the impact of adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) on children and adults. His analysis determined that childhood traumatic experiences could strongly correlate to serious health issues in adults. Exposure to childhood adversity has been shown to correlate not only with mental health issues such as depression, suicide, and substance abuse but also with chronic, life-threatening health issues such as cardiovascular disease, diabetes, cancer, and immune system issues. This DMin study aims to address the impact of ACEs on adult clients of the pastoral counseling ministry of Victory Church, a large non-denominational Christian church located …

Maternal Adverse And Protective Childhood Experiences And Prenatal Smoking, Karina M. Shreffler, Christine N. Joachims, Lucia Ciciolla, Julie M. Croff, Machele Anderson

Health Behavior Research

Prenatal smoking is associated with adverse pregnancy and birth outcomes as well as health problems in early childhood. Recent research determined that maternal adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) increase the odds of smoking during pregnancy. We consider the role of protective and compensatory childhood experiences (PACEs) in an effort to examine the extent to which positive childhood experiences are protective factors for maternal smoking behaviors. Between 2015-2018, 309 pregnant women in Oklahoma recruited from high-risk prenatal clinics, childbirth education classes, and social media were surveyed about their childhood experiences and smoking behaviors during pregnancy. Ordinal regression analysis was used to examine …

The Role Of Adverse Childhood Experiences And Associated Features On Criminality In Emerging Adults, Jessica L. Harangozo

ETD Archive

Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) are associated with a variety of negative outcomes, including criminal and violent behaviors (Milaniak & Widom, 2015). Prior research indicates that antisocial personality traits such as callousness may play a mediating effect on the relationship between ACEs and criminality (Baglivio et al., 2020). Further, the developmental period in which childhood maltreatment occurs may be related to greater criminality (Thornberry et al., 2010). This research project aims to examine how ACEs relate to criminality in emerging adults, with consideration of antisocial personality traits and the developmental period of experiencing childhood abuse. This study hypothesizes: (A) Both higher …

Pathways From Child Maltreatment To Proactive And Reactive Aggression: The Role Of Post-Traumatic Stress Symptom Clusters, Elizabeth M. Mcrae, Laura Stoppelbein, Sarah E. O'Kelley, Paula K. Fite, Shana B. Smith

Research, Publications & Creative Work

Objective: Childhood aggression is related to a myriad of negative concurrent and long-term outcomes. To mitigate the risks associated with childhood aggression, it is important to understand risk factors that might predispose one to aggressive behaviors. One risk factor commonly associated with aggression is the experience of child maltreatment. A common outcome associated with child maltreatment is the development of post-traumatic stress symptoms (PTSS). Several prevailing theoretical models of both post-traumatic stress and aggression indicate that these constructs have similar underlying cognitive, behavioral, and emotional mechanisms. Therefore, the present study examined the relations between and among child maltreatment, PTSS clusters, …

Trauma Of The Past: The Impact Of Adverse Childhood Experiences On Adult Attachment, Money Beliefs And Behaviors, And Financial Transparency, D.Bruce Ross, Ed Coambs, Emily Johnson

Journal of Financial Therapy

Adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) can have a strong, lasting impact on our mental and relational outcomes as adults. They may also impact how we address financial beliefs and behaviors. The current study utilizes 500 participants from Amazon MTurk and structural equation modeling (SEM) to explore the relationships between ACEs and relational financial transparency behaviors through attachment style and money beliefs and behaviors. Findings indicated significant direct and indirect associations across these pathways, particularly for experiences of reported neglect, verbal, and sexual abuse on less security in adult attachment styles. In turn, insecure attachment styles were linked to increased maladaptive financial …

Adverse Childhood Experiences, Depressive Symptoms, And Binge Drinking: A Mediation Analysis, Nicole June Smalley

Graduate Research Theses & Dissertations

Sixty-one percent of adults in a national CDC study reported experiencing at least one AdverseChildhood Experience (ACE), and 1 in 6 reported 4 or more ACEs. The purpose of this hierarchical regression analysis is to target gaps in research specific to examining the relationships between Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs), depressive symptoms experienced in adolescence, and binge drinking behaviors in emerging adulthood using Bronfenbrenner’s Ecological Systems Theory. Longitudinal, secondary data from the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent to Adult Health dataset (Add Health) (Harris et al., 2009) was used in this study. Data was collected in four waves of surveys and …

Pathways To Peer Victimization: The Impact Of Childhood Adversity On Social Relationships, Elizabeth E.E. Sloane

Honors Theses

The purpose of the research study was to explore the connection between the presence of Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACES) and pathways to the experience of peer victimization. Previous literature indicates that ACEs can have far-reaching negative effects into adulthood. Individuals with multiple ACEs have an increased risk of developing various physical and mental health issues as both children and adults. Research has also demonstrated that ACEs can negatively impact social affiliation and can preclude individuals from seeking social support. Social support is also pertinent in predicting the peer victimization because positive interactions with peers are protective against victimization. However, the …

Trauma Informed Care Training Initiative: Implementation Study In Appalachia, Mattie V. Raza

Undergraduate Honors Theses

This study aims to evaluate the implementation of Trauma-Informed Care (TIC) trainings in Johnson City, Tennessee, and the surrounding Appalachian area. Previous TIC trainees were sent an email survey asking them if they had followed through with their plan to implement the training at their place of work or in other areas of their lives. The response rate for this study was 2%, possibly due to extraneous variables such as the Coronavirus Pandemic and the lag time between the initial training and survey follow-up. The responses that were analyzed indicated promise for the practical implementation of TIC concepts at the …

C.H.A.N.G.E.: Strengthening Resiliency In Pregnancy, Joanna L. Harbets

Doctor of Psychology (PsyD)

Pregnancy and childbirth is a biologically, socially, and psychologically complex period in a woman’s life (Anda, 2010). Carrying an infant in the womb is made even more difficult if a mother has endured her own trauma, potentially transmitting a vulnerability to her child’s development through maternal behavior and emotions (Hudziak, 2018). Additionally, the transition to parenthood is a general life stressor which often activates her attachment system. Symptoms of depression, anxiety, and trauma may also interfere with her ability to bond with her child (Main, 2000). Although the complexity of pregnancy and motherhood can be daunting, a mother’s resilience may …

An Examination Of Post-Traumatic Stress Symptoms And Aggression Among Children With A History Of Adverse Childhood Experiences, Elizabeth M. Mcrae, Laura Stoppelbein, Sarah E. O'Kelley, Paula Fite, Shana B. Smith

Research, Publications & Creative Work

Childhood aggression is associated with many deleterious outcomes and is a common reason for psychiatric referral (Card and Little 2006; Gurnani, Ivanov, and Newcorn 2016). One factor associated with childhood aggression is Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs; Felitti et al. 1998). However, existing research remains equivocal on which characteristics of ACEs (e.g., cumulative impact, typology, etc.) are significantly elated to aggression, especially when considering differential effects of ACEs on proactive aggression (PA) and reactive aggression (RA; Dodge and Coie, 1987). Post-traumatic stress symptoms (PTSS) are a common negative sequalae of ACEs and are characterized by disruptions in several cognitive, emotional, and …

Associations Between Adverse Childhood Experiences And Negative Sleep Health Among Young Adults, Yanzhou Lu

Theses and Dissertations

Poor sleep health has been marked as a major factor impacting young adults’ social, academic, and physical performance in a negative direction. Existing research has shown that stress related mental illness or disorder are significant risk factors that contribute to negative sleep health in a bidirectional relationship. Such stress can be contributed by stressors of daily life, as well as adverse experiences and other experiences from earlier in the development. Purpose of the current study aimed to contribute to the existing understanding of the mechanisms that connect early trauma and disadvantage to sleep difficulties in emerging adulthood. Results indicated that …

Psychometric Developments Of The Ace-Iq: Understanding The Trauma History Of Latine Immigrants, Jorli K. Swingen Dr.

Theses and Dissertations

Adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) have a profound effect on an individual’s physical and mental health. The World Health Organization has recently updated the ACE questionnaire so it could be used with international populations. The Adverse Childhood Experiences-International Questionnaire (ACE-IQ), has not been translated to Spanish or used with Latine immigrants.

This study translated the ACE-IQ into Spanish, evaluated the psychometric properties of the questionnaire, and collected data on 184 four adult English Language Learners in Chesterfield County, VA.

There is evidence of internal consistency for the ACE-IQ as a whole (α = .908) and within subscales. Three factors were identified …

Impact Of Adverse Childhood Experiences On Direct Care Workers Working With Juveniles, Brittany Anne Shaughnessy

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

This study investigated the impact of adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) on the development of vicarious traumatization (VT) and burnout among direct care staff working in juvenile justice residential facilities. Measures used included the ACE module of the 2012 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System historical to assess for ACEs, the Trauma and Attachment Belief Scale (TABS) to measure VT, and Maslach Burnout Inventory Human Services Survey (MBI-HSS) to measure burnout. Workplace organization was also included in data collection and analysis as a covariate as past research has indicated a relationship between workplace organization and burnout and VT. A covariate of workplace …

Improving Outcomes For Children Impacted By Adverse Childhood Experiences (Aces): A Study Of Intervention Effectiveness Guided By Developmental Theory, Lisa Teachanarong Aragon

CGU Theses & Dissertations

Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) is the term often used to refer to a set of negative experiences occurring in childhood that hold high potential for inducing toxic stress and complex trauma in children (Felitti et al., 1998). Studies have shown that ACEs are common, often co-occur, and exhibit a strong dose-response relationship to many developmental outcomes across the lifespan (e.g., Anda et al., 2006; Blodgett, 2014; Dong et al., 2004; Metzler et al., 2017). As public awareness of ACEs, their prevalence, and their impact has spread, public interest in implementing effective prevention and intervention strategies has also increased (Donisch et …

The Effect Of Adverse Childhood Experiences On Psychosocial Wellbeing, Gabrielle C. Yundt

Doctor of Psychology (PsyD)

As a result of adversity, trauma, or maltreatment, a child’s primary defense is to engage in self-blame in order to maintain a belief in a safe world. Without intervention, these adaptive strategies may continue to shape the way survivors relate to themselves and make meaning out of negative events. This study hypothesized that participants with adversity in childhood have an increased likelihood of low self-compassion (indicating tendencies towards self-judgment, overidentification, and isolation). This study further hypothesized a positive correlation between posttraumatic growth, resilience and hardiness. Participants in this study were adults recruited from three online sites (social networking, online forum, …

Resiliency, Adversity, And Autonomy Experiences Of Sex Work Employees, Kaytlin R. Smith

Doctor of Psychology (PsyD)

When thinking of an individual employed as a sex worker, one may imagine two common media portrayals; a young, good-hearted, traumatized prostitute in need of saving, and the other a more experienced and perhaps culpable person “of the night” (Dalla, 2000). However, this dichotomous view fails to account for the autonomy of the worker, or adequately capture the complex range of motivations that bring individuals into the field (Chudakov, Ilan, Belmaker, & Cwikel, 2002). This research has been complicated by the criminalized nature of sex work, as well as common cultural moral objections to the services of this industry. This …

Impact Of Adverse Childhood Experiences On Mental Health Outcomes And Related Prescription Practices In A Psychiatric Inpatient Sample, Carrie Lemay

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

A definitive association between adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) and negative physical and mental health outcomes has been established. There is evidence that individuals in forensic psychiatric facilities are disproportionately exposed to ACEs, which may impact severity, prognosis, and age of onset of psychiatric symptoms, including behavioral concerns of institutional aggression, self-harm behaviors, and suicide attempts. Such psychiatric and behavioral concerns are often managed through multiple psychotropic prescriptions, leading to psychotropic polypharmacy. This study evaluated the relationship between ACEs, mental health and behavioral concerns, and psychotropic polypharmacy through analysis of archival data from a forensic inpatient psychiatric facility. A total of …

A Culturally-Sensitive Exploration Of Adversity And Resilience Among Trinidadians, Christabel Léonce

Doctor of Psychology (PsyD)

Research done by the Center for Disease Control (CDC) found that adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) such as abuse, household challenges, and neglect were linked to later health risks in life and overall well-being (CDC, 2019). Adverse experiences occur worldwide in a variety of culturally-specific ways. Research involving youth in Trinidad and Tobago outlines emerging concerns with violence in homes, communities, and schools (Baker-Henningham et al., 2009). Currently, however, there is limited data on adverse experiences and their long-term impact in Trinidad and Tobago. Trinidadians (n = 79), born and lived in Trinidad till 18 years was surveyed, ranging from ages …

Pocket Ace: Neglect Of Child Sexual Abuse Survivors In The Aces Study Questionnaire, Robyn Dolson

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

In 1998, a seminal study on adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) and subsequent health risks catapulted ACEs and the study questionnaire into the zeitgeist. However, its childhood sexual abuse (CSA) item is problematic as it requires the perpetrator have been 5-years or older than the victim. To assess whether some survivors’ CSA is not identified by the current item, whether their exclusion prevents access to services requiring a four-threshold ACE score, and how their health outcomes compared to other CSA groups and controls, an international sample of 974 women completed an online survey assessing their current health and CSA history using …

The Influence Of Adverse Childhood Experiences, Families, Neighborhoods, And School Environments On Cognitive Outcomes Among Schoolchildren, Mark William Olofson

Graduate College Dissertations and Theses

Schools, families, and neighborhoods can support the development of happy, healthy children and adolescents. However, a majority of children in the United States also experience adversity in their early lives that can have deleterious effects on their cognitive and socioemotional development. Measuring and modeling early adversity is fundamental to understanding development as it occurs through interactions with schools, families and neighborhoods. As outlined by Bronfenbrenner's bioecological model of human development, proximal and distal forces shape development, and cannot be isolated when relating measures of the developmental context to outcomes for individuals. For schools and other social programs to support students …

Arrest Or Hospitalization? An Examination Of The Relationship Between Psychiatric Symptoms, Traumatic Childhood Experiences, And Socio-Ecological Factors In Forensic Mental Health System Responses To Offender Behavior, Stephanie Mersch, Jill D. Stinson, Megan Quinn

Undergraduate Honors Theses

It has been well documented that Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) lead to unfavorable outcomes in later life, especially with regard to health and psychological outcomes. Recent research has demonstrated the impact of early childhood adversity on the onset of aggression and illegal behavior. However, often those with mental illness diagnoses with comorbid behavioral problems exhibit trajectories that include both arrest and hospitalization. While some are arrested for their criminal behavior, others are hospitalized. This begs the question: are those with mental illness and behavioral problems more likely to be arrested, or hospitalized, for their early behavioral problems? In the current …

Relationship Between Adverse Childhood Experiences And Illness Perceptions Among Individuals With Fibromyalgia, Susan D. Fay

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Relationship between Adverse Childhood Experiences and Illness Perceptions among Individuals with Fibromyalgia

by

Susan D. Fay

MS, Drexel University, 1994

BS, Metropolitan State University of Denver, 1983

Dissertation Submitted in Partial Fulfillment

of the Requirements for the Degree of

Doctor of Philosophy

Psychology

Walden University

February 2015

Adverse childhood experiences (ACEs), including abuse and neglect, are a significant social health problem. Exposure to ACEs can place a child at a high risk for developing different diseases or illnesses in adulthood, including fibromyalgia. The purpose of this study was to determine if exposure to ACEs, moderated by perceived social support and/or …