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Why Do I Live For The Moment? The Effects of Genetic Factors and Adverse Childhood Experiences on Cognitive Traits in Middle Adulthood

Hamilton, Mark
http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=ucin1563873193728586

Abstract Details

2019, MA, University of Cincinnati, Education, Criminal Justice, and Human Services: Counseling, Mental Health.
Adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) are potentially traumatizing experiences that children may go through including harsh parenting, neglect, abuse, and poverty. Understanding the areas of life ACEs may affect is pivotal in helping those affected. Drawing upon applications of life history theory to humans, the current study hypothesized that ACEs entrain the development of more present oriented cognition and greater propensity for risk-taking in adulthood. Using DeFries-Fulker regression and a nationally representative sample of twins from the Midlife in the United States (MIDUS) survey, this study tested for effects of ACEs on future oriented cognition (subsuming, e.g., planning and self-directedness, persistence in goal striving, and live for today) and attitudes toward risk in adulthood, while accounting for potential genetic confounding. Results indicated no significant effects of harsh parenting on future oriented cognition or attitudes toward risk once genetic factors were controlled; suggesting correlations between the former and latter in prior research may have been spurious. In contrast, SES predicted lesser future oriented cognition in male and females and more positive attitudes toward risk in males. Consistent rules predicted greater future oriented cognition in both males and females, but did not predict risk-taking in either sex. Finally, an unpredictability index (subsuming, e.g., number of moves) had inconsistent effects across the sexes and outcome variables, predicting lesser future oriented cognition in males but greater risk-taking in females. Implications for future research and counseling are discussed.
George Richardson, Ph.D. (Committee Chair)
Amanda La Guardia, Ph.D. (Committee Member)
Joseph Nedelec, Ph.D. (Committee Member)
55 p.
Mental Health
adverse childhood experiences; cognitive traits; genetic confounding; life history theory; future and present oriented cognition

Recommended Citations

Citations

  • Hamilton, M. (2019). Why Do I Live For The Moment? The Effects of Genetic Factors and Adverse Childhood Experiences on Cognitive Traits in Middle Adulthood [Master's thesis, University of Cincinnati]. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=ucin1563873193728586

    APA Style (7th edition)

  • Hamilton, Mark. Why Do I Live For The Moment? The Effects of Genetic Factors and Adverse Childhood Experiences on Cognitive Traits in Middle Adulthood. 2019. University of Cincinnati, Master's thesis. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center, http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=ucin1563873193728586.

    MLA Style (8th edition)

  • Hamilton, Mark. "Why Do I Live For The Moment? The Effects of Genetic Factors and Adverse Childhood Experiences on Cognitive Traits in Middle Adulthood." Master's thesis, University of Cincinnati, 2019. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=ucin1563873193728586

    Chicago Manual of Style (17th edition)

ucin1563873193728586
277
© 2019, all rights reserved.
This open access ETD is published by University of Cincinnati and OhioLINK.