Roles
Student Authors:
Tyler Keohan '20
Kasey Higgins '20
Document Type
Article
Publication Date
10-30-2023
Department 1
Psychology
Abstract
In the past twenty years, multiple studies have shown the relationship between childhood adversity and later negative health consequences. Yet the extent to which the public is aware of this relationship is unclear. We surveyed Black and White college students about their knowledge of the long-term effects of Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs). Students read vignettes comparing children exposed and unexposed to ACEs, and predicted their mental, physical, and social health as adults. Participants were aware of the effect of ACEs on later mental and social health, but not as aware of the risks on physical health. Black and White students had similar knowledge, but Black students attributed some childhood adversity (e.g., physical abuse) as having less impact in adulthood than White participants. These results offer insight into the beliefs of college students and could serve as a basis for targeted interventions aimed at raising awareness and preventing adversity.
Creative Commons License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 4.0 License.
DOI
10.32674/jtse.v2i2.5428
Version
Version of Record
Recommended Citation
Goubet, N., Walker, J., Moye, P., Keohan, T., & Higgins, K. (2023). An Investigation of Black and White College Students’ Knowledge About the Long-Term Effects of ACEs. Journal of Trauma Studies in Education, 2(2), 38–63. https://doi.org/10.32674/jtse.v2i2.5428
Required Publisher's Statement
This article is available from the publisher's website.