Adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) are potentially traumatic events that are associated with negative outcomes, which may contribute to a life course trajectory that connects early adversity with long-term adult health issues. Our study assessed the relationship between ACE, resilience, and psychosocial well-being among undergraduates in tertiary institutions in Osun State, Nigeria. This study utilized a descriptive cross-sectional research design. The sample size was calculated using the Leslie Kish Formula, and the sampled population consisted of 514 students from two selected universities in Osun State. A multistage sampling method was used for the study, and a modified questionnaire adapted from the WHO ACE IQ tools was used for data collection. Data collected were analyzed using descriptive statistics of frequency, percentage, means, and standard deviation for univariate analysis, while inferential statistics of chi-square were used for bivariate analysis. More than half (56.2%) of the respondents had experienced moderate to severe ACE, while 44% had mild or no ACE. Two-thirds of the respondents (66%) had an exceptional level of resilience. There was a statistically significant association between the level of resilience and the experience of ACE (P = 0.028; χ2 = 7.174; Confidence Interval = 1.170, 25.880), as more respondents who had no/mild ACE exhibited an exceptional level of resilience. Similarly, the psychosocial well-being was statistically significant with the level of resilience among all respondents (P < 0.001; χ2 = 19.737; Confidence Interval = 1.840, 41.610). While ACE is prevalent among undergraduates in Osun state, the level of resilience and psychosocial well-being was largely exceptional and good/excellent, respectively. Our findings suggest that ACEs are common among university students in Osun State, Nigeria. This highlights the urgent need for targeted prevention strategies that foster resilience and improve psychosocial well-being among this population.
Opadele et al. (Tue,) studied this question.