Adverse Childhood Experiences, maladaptive coping behaviours and protective factors in undergraduate students: A cross-sectional study

Objectives: The purpose is to examine the relationship between Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs), protective factors, and select maladaptive coping behaviors in postsecondary students. Participants: Undergraduate students attending Dalhousie University. Methods: An online anonymous survey was conducted. Zero order one-tailed correlations were computed to measure relationships between ACEs, levels of maladaptive coping behaviors and protective factors. A structural equation mediation model examined direct and indirect pathways between measures. Results: 42.5% of respondents (n = 327) reported ≥3ACEs. Higher ACEs were associated with higher expression of maladaptive coping behaviors. Respondents with high ACEs and low levels of protective factors reported lower levels of hope and forgiveness and higher levels of stress and rumination. Conclusion: Higher levels of protective factors were associated with lower levels of maladaptive coping behaviors in students with high ACEs.