The Impact of Adverse Childhood Experiences on College Student Stress and Well-Being

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Bibliographic Details
Title: The Impact of Adverse Childhood Experiences on College Student Stress and Well-Being
Language: English
Authors: Jennifer W. Underwood (ORCID 0000-0002-2043-6579), Abigail H. Conley, J. Mitchell Waters
Source: Journal of College Student Retention: Research, Theory & Practice. 2026 27(4):1110-1129.
Availability: SAGE Publications. 2455 Teller Road, Thousand Oaks, CA 91320. Tel: 800-818-7243; Tel: 805-499-9774; Fax: 800-583-2665; e-mail: journals@sagepub.com; Web site: https://sagepub.com
Peer Reviewed: Y
Page Count: 20
Publication Date: 2026
Document Type: Journal Articles
Reports - Research
Education Level: Higher Education
Postsecondary Education
Descriptors: Stress Variables, Well Being, Trauma, Early Experience, Gender Identity, Sexual Orientation, LGBTQ People, Academic Persistence, Correlation, Undergraduate Students, Urban Schools
DOI: 10.1177/15210251231225415
ISSN: 1521-0251
1541-4167
Abstract: This quantitative study explored the relationship between adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) and college student stress and well-being, including the impacts of gender identity and sexual orientation. Participants were undergraduate students (n = 760) who answered survey questions related to stress, well-being, and ACEs as part of a larger campus climate survey. Researchers found that number of ACEs and gender identity/sexual orientation were independently associated with stress. Having more ACEs was significantly associated with higher stress scores. LGBTQ + participants had the highest stress scores, followed by cisgender heterosexual women and cisgender heterosexual men. Well-being was not significantly associated with ACEs or gender identity/sexual orientation. Results of the study have implications for college student retention. The high prevalence of ACEs and stress indicates the need for services that help students manage stress and increase well-being to improve their ability to persist and succeed in college.
Abstractor: As Provided
Entry Date: 2026
Accession Number: EJ1494404
Database: ERIC
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