Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) and depressive symptoms in an urban community college population

Laureen Tavolaro-Ryley; Evanne Juratovac; Roberta Waite; Diana Lynn Morris

Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) and depressive symptoms in an urban community college population

Publication date: 10.12.2024

Art of Healing, Volume 39 (2024), Volume 39 Issue 2, pp. 13-21

https://doi.org/10.4467/18982026SZL.24.009.20701

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Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) and depressive symptoms in an urban community college population

Abstract

Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs), including family dysfunction, abuse, neglect, and community- instigated stress (Urban ACEs), are linked to negative health outcomes. This study examined self-reported trauma and depressive symptoms among urban community college students in the USA, using a descriptive correlational design with a convenience sample. Trauma was assessed through both conventional ACEs and Urban ACEs, and depressive symptoms were measured using the PHQ-9. Results indicated significant trauma (ACE μ = 3.59, Urban ACE μ = 2.15) and depressive symptoms (PHQ-9 μ = 9.30). Demographic analysis showed that students identifying as gender “other” and those of Hispanic ethnicity exhibited heightened vulnerability to trauma. The addition of childhood trauma to the inherent challenges faced by urban community college students creates an excess burden. Therefore, assessment of childhood trauma and the provision of psychosocial resources are critical to promoting the success and well-being of these students.

Niekorzystne doświadczenia z dzieciństwa (ACEs) – takie jak dysfunkcyjność rodziny, przemoc, zaniedbywanie czy też stres środowiskowy (Urban ACEs) – są łączone z negatywnymi skutkami zdrowotnymi. W poniższym badaniu przeanalizowano samodzielnie zadeklarowane traumy oraz objawy depresyjne wśród populacji miejskiej studentów szkół półwyższych w Stanach Zjednoczonych, używając przy tym opisowej metody korelacyjnej z próbą uznaniową. Trauma została oszacowana na podstawie zarówno ACEs, jak i Urban ACEs, podczas gdy objawy depresyjne zostały ocenione przy użyciu kwestionariusza PHQ-9. Wyniki wskazują na obecność znacznej traumy (ACEs μ = 3,59, Urban ACEs μ = 2,15) oraz objawów depresyjnych (PHQ-9 μ = 9,30). Analiza demograficzna wykazała, że studenci opisujący swoją płeć jako „inną” oraz studenci o latynoamerykańskiej tożsamości etnicznej wykazywali zwiększoną podatność na traumę. Występowanie traumy dziecięcej w połączeniu z wyzwaniami nieodzownymi dla miejskiej populacji studentów szkół półwyższych powodują powstanie nadmiernego ciężaru psychicznego. Dlatego też ewaluacja traumy dziecięcej oraz zapewnienie pomocy psychosocjalnej są nieodzowne dla poprawy dobrostanu oraz osiągnięć akademickich owych studentów.

Keywords

Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs), trauma, community college students, depressive symptoms

niekorzystne doświadczenia z dzieciństwa (ACEs), trauma, studenci szkoły półwyższej, objawy depresyjne

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