Experiences of Adverse Childhood Events and Racial Discrimination in Relation to Depressive Symptoms in College Students.

Abstract

Problem: The college years mark a critical period for experiencing multiple stressors and mental health problems. This study applied minority stress theory to examine adverse childhood events (ACEs) and experiences of racial discrimination, and their relationships to depressive symptoms among racially/ethnically diverse college students.

Methods: We analyzed cross-sectional data from 2,685 college students attending seven colleges/universities in the state of Georgia. Measures included sociodemographics, ACEs, experiences of racial discrimination, and depressive symptoms.

Results: Participants' average age was 20.51 (SD=1.94) years; 63.9% were female, 21.9% Black, and 7.8% Hispanic. Multivariable regression indicated that more ACEs predicted more experiences of racial discrimination, and both ACEs and discrimination experiences predicted greater depressive symptoms (p's<.001). Experiencing more ACEs was associated with being older, female, sexual minorities, White (vs. Asian), Hispanic, having less educated parents, and students at public colleges/universities or technical colleges (vs. private colleges/universities, p's<.05). More reports of racial discrimination were associated with being sexual and/or racial/ethnic minorities (p's<.05). Greater depressive symptoms were associated with being younger, female, sexual minorities, White (vs. Black), and students from public (vs. private) colleges/universities (p's<.01).

Conclusions: College campuses should provide resources to address ACEs, racial discrimination, and mental health to support students' academic and psychosocial success.