Date Thesis Awarded
4-2020
Access Type
Honors Thesis -- Access Restricted On-Campus Only
Degree Name
Bachelors of Arts (BA)
Department
Psychology
Advisor
Sarah W. Bisconer
Committee Members
Sarah W. Bisconer
Pamela S. Hunt
Sarah E.I. Menefee
Abstract
In the landmark Adverse Childhood Experiences Study, childhood trauma was shown to have a significant effect on later risk taking behaviors, mental illness, and physical health (Felitti et al., 1998). Positive experiences in childhood, called protective factors, were found to mitigate some of these effects. This study examined the relationship between early adversity, risk-taking behavior, mental health, and protective factors in a university sample. A survey was created to measure these variables and was completed by 342 university students. Results showed that early adversity was related to increased substance abuse, number of sexual partners, younger age of first sexual encounter, engagement in abusive relationships, sexual assault, self-harm behaviors, and the development of anxiety, depressive, and trauma disorders. Protective factors were found to be associated with lower rates of alcohol and nicotine use, engagement in abusive relationships, sexual assault, self-harm behaviors and development of anxiety, depressive, and trauma disorders. Implications for research and best treatment practices are discussed.
Recommended Citation
Parker, Hope, "Patterns of Relations Between Adverse Childhood Experiences, Risk-taking Behaviors, and the Influence of Protective Factors on Harm Reduction and Resilience In a University Student Sample Survey" (2020). Undergraduate Honors Theses. William & Mary. Paper 1457.
https://scholarworks.wm.edu/honorstheses/1457
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