A Study Exploring the Relationship Between Adverse Childhood Experiences and Mental Health in Adulthood Based on Socio-Demographic Factors

Abstract

This paper examined the long-term outcomes of Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) on mental health and coping mechanisms in adulthood with reference to gender variations and socioeconomic status of childhood. The respondents included in the study are students at the University of the Punjab who were sampled using structured questionnaire which measured childhood trauma, present mental health and coping behaviors. There were non-parametric statistical tests such as Chi-square, Mann-Whitney U, and Kruskal-Wallis tests carried out because the data is not normally distributed. The results indicated that childhood adversity was prevalent among the students. There was also a significant difference in the ACEs that are associated with domestic and community violence based on gender but there was not a significant difference in mental health outcomes in gender. There were differences in stress levels, anxiety and the choice of coping strategies, but there was no difference in overall coping and mental health levels between genders. There was no significant correlation between childhood socioeconomic status and ACE exposure, mental health outcomes, and coping mechanisms. Because of the results, it is stated that gender does not significantly affect the mental health of adults and their coping ability, although it affects the kind of childhood trauma that an individual experiences. Likewise, financial well-being in childhood is not a predictor of emotional well-being. These results demonstrate the necessity of the existence of trauma-informed and inclusive mental health intervention in the university, which would provide service to students irrespective of their gender or socioeconomic status.