Resilience in the Face of Adversity: Examining Coping Strategies and Cognitive Emotional Regulation in Mitigating the Impact of Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs)

Abstract

Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs), including abuse, neglect, and household dysfunction, are well-established risk factors for adverse mental health outcomes in adulthood. However, the mechanisms through which ACEs influence coping strategies, psychiatric symptoms, and resilience remain less understood. This study examined these relationships in a sample of university students. Participants (N = 107) completed self-report measures assessing ACEs, coping strategies, psychiatric symptoms, and resilience. Independent samples t-tests and ANCOVA analyses revealed that individuals with high ACE scores (≥4) reported significantly greater use of maladaptive coping strategies compared to those with lower ACE scores (<4). Multiple linear regression analysis indicated that higher ACE scores were significantly associated with greater psychiatric symptom severity, even after controlling for age and gender. A hierarchical regression analysis tested whether adaptive coping strategies moderated the relationship between ACEs and psychiatric symptoms, but no significant interaction effects were found. Finally, multiple linear regression analysis demonstrated that ACE scores were negatively associated with resilience, though adaptive coping strategies did not significantly predict resilience. These findings suggest that resilience is much more complex than engaging in adaptive coping behaviors or adaptive cognitions. Future research should explore additional factors that may buffer against the negative effects of ACEs.