Adverse Childhood Experiences and Resilience: Racial Differences and Coping Style as a Mediator

Abstract Individuals with adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) are at risk for many negative outcomes such as poor mental and physical health. Previous research suggests that coping styles may explain the relationship between ACEs and these outcomes. Further, Black and White individuals have been shown to cope with stressful events differently. However, we do not fully understand if ACEs differentially predict the use of certain coping styles in these two racial groups, or if certain coping styles can explain why individuals of each racial group are less resilient. The current study aimed to expand the field’s knowledge of the mediating role of coping styles on the relationship between ACEs and resilience. Additionally, we examined whether there are racial differences in the relationships within these mediation models. 548 Black and White participants were recruited for an online short-term longitudinal study via Mechanical Turk. Participants filled out questionnaires measuring ACEs, coping styles, and resilience at two time points, 3 months apart. Avoidant and vigilant coping mediated the relationship between ACEs and resilience such that greater ACEs increased the likelihood of avoidant and vigilant coping, which reduced resilience. Further, White individuals had greater increases in avoidant and vigilant coping with each additional ACE compared to Black individuals, and White participants had a greater reduction in resilience with increases in vigilant coping compared to Black participants. The implications of these findings on prevention and intervention programs for individuals with ACEs are discussed.