Date of Conferral

5-19-2025

Date of Award

May 2025

Degree

Ph.D.

School

Psychology

Advisor

Sally Zengaro

Abstract

Extensive research has been conducted on the relationship of adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) and negative long term physical and mental health outcomes, intervention strategies after exposure in childhood, as well preventative education measures to limit ACE exposure; however, limited research has been conducted on how the exposure to ACEs could influence parental behaviors, practices, the overall experience for parents, and the intergenerational continuity of these experiences for their children. The purpose of this qualitative grounded theory study was to explore how the adverse childhood experiences of parents could have influenced their parental behaviors and practices, parenting style and approach, and in the intergenerational continuity of ACEs. Bronfenbrenner’s ecological model and Rutter’s resiliency theory were used as the frameworks to explain the intergenerational continuity of ACEs from parents to children. Eleven semi-structured interviews were conducted and the content was analyzed within this study citing four themes that included intentional positive parenting and reactive parenting, mental health and relationship concerns, patterns of continuity, and education and awareness. The results of this study indicated a strong relationship among education and awareness of ACEs, the parents’ intentional responsive parenting skills, parents addressing their mental health concerns, and the decrease in intergenerational continuity of ACEs from parents to their children. Implementing prevention and intervention strategies before adults become parents could have significant social change implications in reducing the intergenerational continuity of ACE exposure from parents to their children ultimately fostering a healthy and productive population.

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