Date of Conferral
2023
Degree
Ph.D.
School
Psychology
Advisor
Yoly Zentella
Abstract
In the United States, approximately $124 billion is spent annually on mental health and medical diagnosis as a result of the negative effects of adverse childhood experiences. These experiences can result in both mental and physical illness as well as a pattern of instability across the lifespan, which may affect adult attitudes toward child maltreatment and perpetuate the cycle of abuse. The purpose of this quantitative regression study was to examine any association between a person’s adverse childhood experiences and attitudes of what defined child maltreatment. Bronfenbrenner’s ecological systems theory was the framework. A total of 98 participants took part in this study. The research question explored whether there was an association between a person’s adverse childhood experiences as measured by the ACE Questionnaire, and components of child abuse as measured by the Defining Child Abuse Vignettes, considering education, marital status, and parental status. People with higher adverse childhood experiences were expected to score child maltreatment as being less severe as they might have normalized their adverse childhood experiences from childhood and continued the cycle of abuse. Findings suggested that the hypothesis was not supported. Multiple regression analysis showed no correlation between the variables. The findings of this study may be used for positive social change for policymakers who might support a more child-centered policy that values the prevention of child maltreatment for positive social change.
Recommended Citation
Santana, Carla M., "Adult Attitudes and Adverse Childhood Experiences: Implications for Child Maltreatment" (2023). Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies. 14486.
https://scholarworks.waldenu.edu/dissertations/14486
