Outcomes of adverse childhood experience during late adolescence: Evidence from college and community samples

Abstract

Scant studies have investigated adverse childhood experience (ACE) outcomes and mastery during adolescence in different cultural contexts. This cross‐sectional study examines the impact of ACEs on subjective well‐being, health complaints, and healthcare utilization during late adolescence, including the mediating role of the sense of mastery in the Saudi context. Adolescents (N = 396) aged 17–21 years were recruited via convenience sampling from colleges and local communities from two regions in Saudi Arabia. Data were collected using a paper‐pencil anonymous survey and analyzed using path analysis. Of the sample, 85.5% experienced at least one ACE. ACEs had a direct effect on subjective well‐being (p = 0.034), health complaints (p < 0.001), healthcare utilization (p < 0.001), and sense of mastery (p < 0.001). Sense of mastery had an effect on subjective well‐being (p < 0.001) and health complaints (p < 0.001), but not on healthcare utilization (p = 0.436). Sense of mastery partially mediated the relationship between ACEs and subjective well‐being (p = 0.034) and health complaints (p < 0.001), but not healthcare utilization (p = 0.438). ACEs have detrimental effects on adolescent health. Attention should be paid to primary prevention and early detection to avoid further harm, and interventions that address the role of the sense of mastery should be developed for adolescents.

Sociocultural and contextual influences on mental health

“…ACEs were discovered to have a direct effect on subjective wellbeing, health complaints, healthcare utilization, and sense of mastery among late adolescents from two regions in Saudi Arabia (Almaradheef & Alhalal, 2024). Outcomes indicate that sense of mastery had an effect on subjective well-being and health complaints.…”

“…A second cross-sectional study (Almaradheef & Alhalal, 2024) examined the impact of adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) on late adolescence in Saudi Arabia, and a third study (Coventry et al, 2023) examined in utero/peripartum antiretroviral therapy (IPA) exposure type and the relationship to mental health symptoms among children. These three studies provide information regarding the need to examine the mental health of youth and young adults among diverse populations.…”