Examining the relationship between adverse childhood experiences and psychological resilience of adult individuals

The aim of this study is to examine whether there is a relationship between negative childhood experiences and psychological resilience levels. In addition, the relationship between some sociodemographic characteristics and psychological resilience was also examined. The sample of the research consisted of 383 individuals between the ages of 18-37 who volunteered to participate in the study. Personal Information Form, which included questions such as age, gender, marital status, and education level, was provided to the participants of the research; ACE Adverse Childhood Experiences Scale; The RSA Resilience Scale for Adults is provided. 284 (75%) of the participants were women, 99 (25%) were men, and the average age was 28. While the participants' scores on the RSA Psychological Resilience Scale for Adults differ according to gender and parental health variables; It did not differ according to age, marital status, and parental partnership variables. The psychological resilience levels of women were found to be higher than the psychological resilience levels of male participants. When the level of psychological resilience is examined according to the survival status of the parents, participants whose both parents are alive have the highest level of psychological resilience; Participants whose parents were alive were found to have the lowest psychological resilience. Additionally, a low-level negative significant relationship was found between negative childhood experiences and psychological resilience. As negative childhood experiences increase, psychological resilience decreases. When this relationship is examined, a one-unit increase in negative childhood experiences causes a 14% decrease in psychological resilience. As a result, preventive mental health studies to reduce negative experiences in childhood will increase the psychological resilience of individuals in the future and reduce psychopathologies. There is a need for larger sample and prospective studies in this field.