Relationship Between Adverse Childhood Experiences and Resilience: The Indirect Effect of a Sense of Purpose in Life.

PURPOSE: This study examined the association between adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) and resilience through a sense of purpose in life (SP) among 578 college students, applying resilience theory and positive psychology.

MATERIALS AND

METHODS

Using a cross-sectional, online survey design, data were collected. Most respondents were female (71.9%), heterosexual (69.9%), and Caucasian (61.6%) undergraduate students.

RESULTS

The results indicated that ACEs were not directly related to resilience (β = -.09, .05). SP had an indirect effect in the relationship between ACEs and resilience (β = -.11, 95% CI = -.16 to -.05). SP fully mediated the association between ACEs and resilience in college students.

DISCUSSION: This indicates that students with a history of ACEs tend to have lower levels of resilience due to their reduced levels of SP.

CONCLUSION

Trauma-informed, campus-wide interventions targeting SP for college students who were exposed to ACEs may be effective.