The Role Of Parental Attachment In The Relationship Between Adverse Childhood Experiences And Depression In Emerging Adult Males

Author

Kerstin Gracia, University of Central FloridaFollow

Keywords

attachment; adverse childhood experiences; emerging adults; depression

Abstract

Experiencing adversity during childhood can impact mental health throughout adolescence and into adulthood. Adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) are comprised of different types of abuse, neglect, and household dysfunction. Children who experience ACEs are more likely to display internalizing (e.g., depression) and externalizing (e.g., acting out) behavior problems in adolescence. Those with insecure attachment styles are more likely to have grown up in a disorganized, inconsistent environment and have an increased chance of experiencing ACEs. The current study examined the relationships among ACEs, depression, and parental attachment in emerging adult men, with parental attachment tested as the mediating factor. It was found that ACEs and parental attachment were able to predict depressive symptoms collectively. The findings suggested that using preventative measures, such as mental health resources for male children who have experienced ACEs and resources that foster secure attachments between caregiver and child, could deter depressive symptoms in emerging adult men.

Thesis Completion Year

2024

Thesis Completion Semester

Fall

Thesis Chair

Renk, Kimberly

College

College of Sciences

Department

Psychology

Thesis Discipline

Psychology

Language

English

Access Status

Open Access

Length of Campus Access

None

Campus Location

Orlando (Main) Campus

STARS Citation

Gracia, Kerstin, "The Role Of Parental Attachment In The Relationship Between Adverse Childhood Experiences And Depression In Emerging Adult Males" (2024). Honors Undergraduate Theses. 199.
https://stars.library.ucf.edu/hut2024/199