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Corrigan, Riley, Thesis 2023.pdf (4.69 MB)

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The Impact of Adverse Childhood Experiences on Overall and Cellular Health in Adulthood

Corrigan, Riley J
http://orcid.org/0000-0002-1593-7758
http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=ouhonors1682693535322464

Abstract Details

2023, Bachelor of Science (BS), Ohio University, Translational Health.
The goals of this study were to 1) determine the prevalence of adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) and their impact on health and health-risk behaviors and 2) assess body composition, salivary cortisol, and phase angle (PhA) with high, moderate, low, or no exposure to ACEs in college-aged Appalachian adults (≥18 y). Methods. College students completed an anonymous questionnaire (Phase 1) about ACEs, positive experiences, adult resiliency, perceived stress, food insecurity, and health. A subsample participated in the Phase 2 in-person portion to measure body composition, PhA, and resting/reactive cortisol. One-way ANOVAs and correlation analyses were used to analyze the sample. Results. In Phase 1 (N=611, 86.3% ≤25 y, 64.0% female, 81.0% Caucasian, 52.4% heterosexual), only 3.6% (n=22) reported no ACEs, while 34.7% (n=212) reported ≥8. Positive experiences (r=-0.62), perceived stress (r=0.37), resiliency (r=-0.53), and food insecurity (r=0.25) were significantly correlated with ACEs score (p<0.001). In Phase 2 (N=42, 78.6% ≤25 y, 64.3% female, 40.5% Caucasian, 78.5% heterosexual), body fat percentage was significantly correlated with ACE level (r=0.31, p=0.044). ACEs scores were not correlated with PhA (r=-0.08), resting or reactive cortisol (r=-0.04), or visceral adipose tissue (r=0.28) (p>0.05). Conclusions. The prevalence of ACEs is high amongst this sample of young adults and though significant physiological changes were not seen, health perceptions and behaviors were impacted. Future research should focus on a slightly older age group to identify when specifically physiological changes due to ACEs begin to manifest.
Cheryl A Howe (Advisor)
Joseph A Bianco (Advisor)
100 p.
Behavioral Psychology; Behavioral Sciences; Developmental Biology; Developmental Psychology; Health; Neurobiology; Physiology; Psychology; Social Psychology
Adverse Childhood Experiences; ACEs; Phase Angle; Cortisol; Appalachia; Young Adults; Positive Experiences; Resiliency; Body Composition; Bioelectrical Impedance Analysis; Toxic Stress; Childhood Trauma

Recommended Citations

Citations

  • Corrigan, R. J. (2023). The Impact of Adverse Childhood Experiences on Overall and Cellular Health in Adulthood [Undergraduate thesis, Ohio University]. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=ouhonors1682693535322464

    APA Style (7th edition)

  • Corrigan, Riley. The Impact of Adverse Childhood Experiences on Overall and Cellular Health in Adulthood. 2023. Ohio University, Undergraduate thesis. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center, http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=ouhonors1682693535322464.

    MLA Style (8th edition)

  • Corrigan, Riley. "The Impact of Adverse Childhood Experiences on Overall and Cellular Health in Adulthood." Undergraduate thesis, Ohio University, 2023. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=ouhonors1682693535322464

    Chicago Manual of Style (17th edition)

ouhonors1682693535322464
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This open access ETD is published by Ohio University Honors Tutorial College and OhioLINK.