Adverse Childhood Experiences and Social Behavior in Adolescence: Exploring the Protective Role of Resilience as a Moderator (P002)

• In Event: Poster session

Abstract

Adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) have been linked to negative outcomes across a variety of domains, including social behavior. Research has pointed out that individuals who have experienced ACEs display a range of negative social behaviors. One aspect of social behavior that is impacted by ACEs is aggression. Studies have found that children who experience ACEs are more likely to exhibit aggressive behavior towards others, including peers and family members. They are also more likely to engage in delinquent behaviors and have trouble with authority figures. Research also suggests that individuals with high levels of resilience are better equipped to overcome the challenges associated with ACEs and may be more likely to exhibit positive social behaviors. Therefore, understanding the relationship between ACEs, resilience, and social behavior is crucial for developing interventions and support systems that can promote resilience and positive social outcomes in individuals who have experienced ACEs. This study aimed to assess the extent to which ACEs are related to social behavior and whether resilience acts as a moderator of this relationship in a sample of 1,343 adolescents (12-18 years old) residing in regions characterized by high levels of social vulnerability. The analysis revealed that ACEs had a weak or insignificant correlation with five types of pro-social or anti-social behaviors. Following this, the adolescents were classified into five groups based on their ACEs scores and a psychosocial adjustment scale: High Resilient, Resilient, Adjusted, Normative, and Vulnerable. Then it was tested whether these classifications had any moderating effects on the relationship between ACEs and social behaviors, but the results indicated otherwise. As a result, the data from the study could not confirm the association between ACEs and social behaviors in adolescence. The limitations, potential implications, and future directions of the study are discussed.

Authors

• Rafael Franco Dutra Leite, University of Sao Paulo

• André Vilela Komatsu, University of Sao Paulo

• Pâmela Virgínia Santos, University of Sao Paulo

• Marina Rezende Bazon, University of São Paulo