Date of Graduation

5-2023

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Bachelor of Arts in Psychology

Degree Level

Undergraduate

Department

Psychological Science

Advisor/Mentor

McDaniel, Brenda

Committee Member

Chapman, Kate

Second Committee Member

Sonn, Richard

Third Committee Member

Davidson, Fiona

Abstract

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 this study is to investigate the relationship between Adverse Childhood Experiences and college functioning. There are, however, other variables that could be partially responsible for this relationship. Resiliency is determined by how quickly and easily a person is able to bounce back after a difficult experience (Smith et al., 2008). Resilience could have a potential effect on college functioning. Mental health, in terms of depression, anxiety, and stress, also may have a potential effect on college functioning. The additional purpose of this study is to examine whether resiliency and mental health mediate the relationship between Adverse Childhood Experiences and college functioning.

Keywords

Adverse Childhood Experiences; resiliency; mental health; college functioning

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