University of Kentucky

The Impact of Adverse Childhood Experiences on COVID-19-related Stress and Mental Health: A study of Emerging Adults in Kentucky

Grade Level at Time of Presentation

Junior

Major

Agricultural and Medical Biotechnology, and Psychology

Institution 24-25

University of Kentucky

KY House District #

6

KY Senate District #

13

Department

College of Agriculture Food and Environment

Abstract

Adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) are defined as disruptive and harmful events that are typically chronic in nature taking place within a child’s social environment. The COVID-19 pandemic introduced widespread disruption, particularly among emerging adults (18-24 years old), exacerbating mental health issues such as anxiety and depression. Literature suggests ACEs may amplify the impact of trauma experienced during the COVID-19 lockdowns. Enforced confinement may have triggered ACE exposure or painful reminders of past ACE, increasing vulnerability to mental health concerns. We test the hypothesis: The COVID-19 lockdown serves as a predictive factor in shaping the current mental health outcomes of young adults, amplifying the influence of individual ACEs.  Survey data was collected from 42 young adults (aged 18-24) from Lexington, Kentucky using a Qualtrics cross-sectional survey. Respondents were surveyed on their ACEs, pandemic-induced stress, and mental health outcomes. Preliminary findings show the overall sample (31.0% male and 64.3% female) reported relatively low scores (M = 0.83, SD = 1.06) for total ACE burden (score range, 0-7). A linear regression showed that ACEs significantly predicted mean negative emotions impacted by COVID-related stressors, showing a moderate and positive relationship (β = 0.303, t(40) = 3.01, p = .004, R2 = .165). Furthermore, ACEs significantly predicted mean post-covid anxiety, showing a weak but positive relationship (β = .138, t(40) = 2.209, p = .03, R2 = .046). Findings show that exposure to ACE serves as a predictive factor in determining COVID-19-related stressors in emerging adults. Preliminary insights underscore the importance of further research to explore the interplay between ACEs and pandemic-related mental health outcomes, particularly among emerging adults in Kentucky.

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The Impact of Adverse Childhood Experiences on COVID-19-related Stress and Mental Health: A study of Emerging Adults in Kentucky

Adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) are defined as disruptive and harmful events that are typically chronic in nature taking place within a child’s social environment. The COVID-19 pandemic introduced widespread disruption, particularly among emerging adults (18-24 years old), exacerbating mental health issues such as anxiety and depression. Literature suggests ACEs may amplify the impact of trauma experienced during the COVID-19 lockdowns. Enforced confinement may have triggered ACE exposure or painful reminders of past ACE, increasing vulnerability to mental health concerns. We test the hypothesis: The COVID-19 lockdown serves as a predictive factor in shaping the current mental health outcomes of young adults, amplifying the influence of individual ACEs.  Survey data was collected from 42 young adults (aged 18-24) from Lexington, Kentucky using a Qualtrics cross-sectional survey. Respondents were surveyed on their ACEs, pandemic-induced stress, and mental health outcomes. Preliminary findings show the overall sample (31.0% male and 64.3% female) reported relatively low scores (M = 0.83, SD = 1.06) for total ACE burden (score range, 0-7). A linear regression showed that ACEs significantly predicted mean negative emotions impacted by COVID-related stressors, showing a moderate and positive relationship (β = 0.303, t(40) = 3.01, p = .004, R2 = .165). Furthermore, ACEs significantly predicted mean post-covid anxiety, showing a weak but positive relationship (β = .138, t(40) = 2.209, p = .03, R2 = .046). Findings show that exposure to ACE serves as a predictive factor in determining COVID-19-related stressors in emerging adults. Preliminary insights underscore the importance of further research to explore the interplay between ACEs and pandemic-related mental health outcomes, particularly among emerging adults in Kentucky.