Date of Conferral

2-25-2025

Degree

Ph.D.

School

Health Education and Promotion

Advisor

Dr. Deneen Long-White

Abstract

Adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) are traumatic events occurring before age 18 that negatively impact mental, physical, and emotional well-being. The impact of ACEs and how they influence coping strategies of African American undergraduate college students between 18 and 22 is less known. This study involved employing a nonexperimental quantitative cross-sectional research design to identify coping strategies of African American undergraduate college students between 18 and 22. Additionally, the study involved identifying factors that predict coping strategies among this population. The transactional theory of stress and coping was the theoretical framework for the study. Online survey tools were used to collect data. To analyze data, descriptive statistics, chi-squared tests, and multiple regression analyses were performed. Results of these statistical tests showed no significant association between total number of ACEs and average coping scores among the study population as well as no significant differences in terms of coping strategies between those who experienced ACEs and those who did not. In addition, no statistically significant relationship was found between coping scores and the independent variables (first-generation college status, ACE scores, and PSS. While recommendations for practice cannot be suggested from the results of this study, recommendations in the area of methodical considerations are suggested. The results of studies following these recommendations may lead to positive social change at the individual level such as the development of interventions to help African American undergraduate college students adjust to college life and related stressors

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