Impacts of Adverse Childhood Experiences on Mental Health and Satisfaction With Life in First-Year College Students: Results From a Cross-Sectional Study in Vietnam.

OBJECTIVE

Adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) represent a major public health concern, exerting profound and lasting effects on physical and mental health. However, the burden and specific impacts of ACEs among university students-a population undergoing significant developmental transitions-remain limited. This study aims to address this gap by exploring the prevalence of ACEs and their associations with mental health outcomes and life satisfaction among first-year university students in Vietnam.

METHODS

A cross-sectional study was conducted among 1,391 first-year college students in six universities/faculties in Vietnam from August 2021 to August 2022. A questionnaire comprising four components was utilized to collect information from participants. Multivariate linear regression models were employed to identify factors associated with the levels of depression and life satisfaction among participants.

RESULTS

Among 1,391 participants, 54.4% reported experiencing depressive symptoms. Regarding the number of ACEs, 50% of the participants reported that they experienced at least one ACE, and there were 34.8% encountering multiple ACEs (defined as two or more). The study also highlighted the statistical differences in the number of ACEs between depressed individuals and those who did not (p<0.001). The findings revealed a strong correlation between ACEs and the increase in depression levels and poor life satisfaction.

CONCLUSION

This study highlighted the relatively high prevalence of ACEs and their negative impacts on mental health status and life satisfaction. The results suggest that important strategies such as screening for ACEs and mental health conditions, implementation of community-based programs, and promotion of resilience-focused interventions can play a critical role in mitigating the impact of ACEs, ultimately contributing to healthier individuals and societies.