Passion and Persistence: Investigating the Relationship Between Adverse Childhood Experiences and Grit in College Students in China

Abstract

Adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) are known to have deleterious effects on individuals across the life span, but less is known about how they affect grit, a strong predictor of achievements and well-being. This study seeks to investigate the effect of ACEs on grit in a sample of Chinese college students during the COVID-19 pandemic. Data were collected from 1,871 students across 12 universities in China. Findings indicated a significant effect of ACEs on grit, particularly abuse and neglect dimensions of ACE. Since grit is particularly important for professional success, those who have experienced abuse and neglect victimization may struggle throughout their education, and subsequently, in their careers. This calls for interventions to buffer the effects of ACEs on grit.

Adverse Childhood Experiences and Psychological Well-Being in Chinese College Students: Moderated Mediation by Gender and Resilience

“…Using a sample of 2,073 medical college students in Anhui province, Xiao et al (14) described that more than two-thirds (68.9%) of participants experienced at least one type of ACEs, among which physical neglect (26.9%), physical abuse (26.7%), and mental illness in the household (23.0%) comprised the greatest portions. Subsequently, a number of studies estimated the prevalence of ACEs in China (13,(15)(16)(17)(18). Though fluctuating, the rate of ACEs in China is between 35.2-75.0%.…”

“…Most ACE studies, both Chinese and international, examined ACEs using cumulative risk scores and found dose-dependent relationships with studied outcomes [e.g., (20)(21)(22)(23)(24)]. Recently, a growing number of studies evaluated the effects of ACEs by category and presented some evidence that different categories of ACEs might have distinct outcomes (17,(25)(26)(27). For instance, Anonymous (17) surveyed a college sample from China and found that the abuse/neglect category was related to poorer grit, while household challenges were associated with increased consistency.…”

“…Recently, a growing number of studies evaluated the effects of ACEs by category and presented some evidence that different categories of ACEs might have distinct outcomes ( 17 , 25 – 27 ). For instance, Anonymous ( 17 ) surveyed a college sample from China and found that the abuse/neglect category was related to poorer grit, while household challenges were associated with increased consistency. One study ( 27 ) suggested that household challenges and child abuse/neglect had different relationships with various mental health issues.…”

“…Second, as reviewed above, the majority of the ACEs studies in China focus on negative psychological outcomes and relatively few concentrated on positive outcomes. To the authors' knowledge, only two studies assessed the relationship between ACEs and positive outcomes among Chinese college students ( 17 , 23 ). Meanwhile, only Anonymous ( 17 ) examined how ACEs related to individuals' psychological outcomes by category in a Chinese context.…”

“…To the authors' knowledge, only two studies assessed the relationship between ACEs and positive outcomes among Chinese college students ( 17 , 23 ). Meanwhile, only Anonymous ( 17 ) examined how ACEs related to individuals' psychological outcomes by category in a Chinese context. Moreover, the relationships between ACEs and individuals' outcomes may be complex as various mediators and moderators can interweave.…”