Date of Conferral

2021

Degree

Ph.D.

School

Psychology

Advisor

Sandra Rasmussen

Abstract

People who have not overcome childhood trauma and who have developed mental illnesses have difficulties dealing with life challenges. The purpose of this quantitative study used a correlational design to test any relationship between childhood trauma experience levels and resilience against life challenges in adulthood. The theoretical framework used for this study was Barnes’ social support theory. Data were collected from 104 participants over a 7-week period. Participants voluntarily answered the ACE questionnaire, 2-way support scale, and resilience scale. Key results indicate that people with mental illness who receive social support are positive impacted by that support. Receiving adequate levels of social support is beneficial for increasing the well-being of people with mental illness. Future research can narrow the focus of childhood trauma by evaluating topics such as experiencing acute trauma, repetitive trauma, and chronic trauma on resilience to cope with life challenges for adults with mental illness. The results of this study have implications for positive social change by highlighting the importance of social support systems for improving the quality of life for people with mental illness. The results can lead to positive social change by demonstrating that people with mental illness benefit when receiving social support.

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