Skip to Main Content
 

Global Search Box

 
 
 
 

ETD Abstract Container

Abstract Header

Understanding the Moderators of Adverse Childhood Experiences on Mature Adult Satisfaction and Adjustment

Abstract Details

2016, Doctor of Education (Educational Leadership), Youngstown State University, Department of Teacher Education and Leadership Studies.
Adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) are shown to dramatically affect the mental, physical, and socioemotional development and wellbeing of individuals and families for a lifetime. The neurologic effects on the developing brain are causal to learning disabilities, childhood disorders, and escalated behavioral problems. Adverse childhood experiences change the way people see themselves and the others around them, ultimately affecting the way people learn, how well they cope with stress, and how they are able bond with others. Adults who experienced childhood abuse, neglect, or household dysfunction have more sickness, surgeries, compulsory behaviors, and chronic health conditions. They are more than three times the risk for premature mortality. Despite these probabilities, some have beaten the odds and have developed the resilience to “bounce back”. They have discovered a way to find meaning, purpose, and fulfillment in life. This investigation explores the phenomena of resilience by understanding the moderators of adverse childhood experiences on mature adult satisfaction and adjustment. A random sampling of (n=300) middle-aged adults (aged 29 – Over 50) was extracted from a collection of (N = 3200) surveys which measured levels of adversity, types of adult attachment, how easily they bonded, how well they recovered from stress, feeling of subjective happiness, and life satisfaction. While the results of the analysis indicated that one of every three individual had multiple childhood adversities, the moderators: relationship, attitude, and spirituality acted as possible buffers from the devastating effects of adverse childhood experiences. Implications for prevention, early intervention, effective treatment, and policy-making at the federal, state, and local level are considered.
Karen Larwin, PhD (Committee Chair)
Joseph Lyons, PhD (Committee Member)
Patrick Spearman, PhD (Committee Member)
Charles Vergon, JD (Committee Member)
165 p.

Recommended Citations

Citations

  • Cesene, D. F. (2016). Understanding the Moderators of Adverse Childhood Experiences on Mature Adult Satisfaction and Adjustment [Doctoral dissertation, Youngstown State University]. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=ysu1485357647704633

    APA Style (7th edition)

  • Cesene, Daniel. Understanding the Moderators of Adverse Childhood Experiences on Mature Adult Satisfaction and Adjustment. 2016. Youngstown State University, Doctoral dissertation. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center, http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=ysu1485357647704633.

    MLA Style (8th edition)

  • Cesene, Daniel. "Understanding the Moderators of Adverse Childhood Experiences on Mature Adult Satisfaction and Adjustment." Doctoral dissertation, Youngstown State University, 2016. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=ysu1485357647704633

    Chicago Manual of Style (17th edition)