Date of Graduation

5-2025

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Bachelor of Arts in Psychology

Degree Level

Undergraduate

Department

Psychological Science

Advisor/Mentor

McDaniel, Brenda

Committee Member

Paez Ritter, Rocio

Second Committee Member

Levine, Bill

Abstract

The present study investigated the mediating role of posttrauma risky behavior engagement, perceived ability to utilize adaptive posttraumatic coping strategies, and levels of student life satisfaction on the relationship between the retrospective report of encountering four or more types of Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) and levels of college student adjustment. College students participating in the data collection website Prolific (n = 470) completed online questionnaires. Results revealed that ACEs were highly prevalent, with 99.8% of participants reporting at least one ACE and 78.9% reporting four or more. Retrospective reports of encountering four or more types of childhood adversities were significantly associated with increased engagement in posttrauma risky behaviors, lower levels of student life satisfaction, and lower levels of college student adjustment. Moreover, a significant partial mediation model was found where the three mediating variables accounted for about 35% of the variance in current levels of college student adjustment. This was interpreted as being a highly substantial effect size. Implications surrounding these findings are discussed, such as the importance for universities to invest in ACEs interventions to promote optimal college student success.

Keywords

Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs); posttrauma risky behaviors; perceived ability to utilize adaptive posttraumatic coping strategies; college student life satisfaction; college student adjustment

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