Association Between Adverse Childhood Experiences, Resilience and Mental Health in a Hispanic Community

Abstract

This study explores the relations between adverse childhood experiences (ACEs), mental health and resilience among Hispanic adults living in the United States – Mexico Border region. Numerous studies have investigated the negative impact of ACEs on adult mental health, but the concept of resilience as a protective factor for mental health in the Hispanic communities has limited consideration in ACE treatment interventions. The proposed study addresses this gap in knowledge by investigating relations between ACEs, resilience, and mental health. An online survey was administered to 221 university students to assess the relationship between ACEs, mental distress and resilience. Using hierarchical linear regression, three models were estimated. First, including demographics, second including ACEs and low resilience, followed by the interaction of ACEs and resilience. Analyses indicate that ACEs were associated with mental distress (B = 1.02, 95% CI 0.37 – 1.68, p < 0.01) and low resilience was associated with mental distress (B = 5.37, 95% CI 3.15 – 7.59, p