The Role of Adverse Childhood Experiences and Protective Factors in the Co-Occurrence of Somatization and Post-Traumatic Stress Symptoms
Objectives: Adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) pose a significant public health concern, negatively impacting children’s physical and mental health. This study examines the association between ACEs and the co-occurrence of somatization and post-traumatic stress symptoms (PTSSs) among Chinese colle...
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| Main Authors: | , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
MDPI AG
2025-03-01
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| Series: | Journal of Mind and Medical Sciences |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2392-7674/12/1/9 |
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| Summary: | Objectives: Adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) pose a significant public health concern, negatively impacting children’s physical and mental health. This study examines the association between ACEs and the co-occurrence of somatization and post-traumatic stress symptoms (PTSSs) among Chinese college students. Additionally, it explores the roles of both internal (psychological resilience) and external (social support) protective factors in this relationship. Methods: A sample of 701 students were analyzed using the Adverse Childhood Experiences International Questionnaire, the Somatization subscale from the Symptom Checklist-90, the PTSD Checklist from the DSM-5, the Connor–Davidson Resilience Scale, and the Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support. A four-level outcome variable was created based on measures of somatization and PTSSs: no symptoms, somatization-only, post-traumatic stress symptoms-only (PTSSs-only), and co-occurring symptoms. Data analysis was conducted using multiple logistic regression. Results: Among Chinese college students, the prevalence of ACEs was 62.9%, while the prevalence of co-occurring somatization and PTSSs was 13.7%. The results of the multiple logistic regression analysis indicated a positive association between ACEs and the co-occurrence of somatization and PTSSs compared to no symptoms (OR = 2.28, <i>p</i> < 0.001). Furthermore, social support (OR = 0.26, <i>p</i> < 0.001) and psychological resilience (OR = 0.48, <i>p</i> = 0.049) were negatively associated with the co-occurrence. Conclusions: ACEs are risk factors for the co-occurrence of somatization and PTSSs among college students, while social support and psychological resilience serve as effective protective factors against this risk. |
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| ISSN: | 2392-7674 |