The Impact of Adverse Childhood Experiences on College Student Stress and Well-being

Abstract

This quantitative study explored the relationship between adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) and college student stress and well-being, including the impacts of gender identity and sexual orientation. Participants were undergraduate students ( n = 760) who answered survey questions related to stress, well-being, and ACEs as part of a larger campus climate survey. Researchers found that number of ACEs and gender identity/sexual orientation were independently associated with stress. Having more ACEs was significantly associated with higher stress scores. LGBTQ + participants had the highest stress scores, followed by cisgender heterosexual women and cisgender heterosexual men. Well-being was not significantly associated with ACEs or gender identity/sexual orientation. Results of the study have implications for college student retention. The high prevalence of ACEs and stress indicates the need for services that help students manage stress and increase well-being to improve their ability to persist and succeed in college.