Adverse childhood experiences as a predictor of attendance at a health-promotion program

Abstract

This short-term longitudinal study examined whether adverse childhood experiences predicted attendance at a fitness program. We asked undergraduates participating in a group fitness program at a university to complete measures of mental health and adverse childhood experiences at the start of the semester. Attendance data were obtained from the recreational center at the end of the semester. Adverse childhood experiences predicted attendance after parental education and mental health were taken into account. To our knowledge, this is the first study to demonstrate that more adverse childhood experiences predict lower attendance at a health-promotion program. Findings suggest a need for adverse childhood experiences screening to prevent drop-out.