Hope mediates the relationship between childhood adversity and academic resilience among Appalachian young adults.

The impact of adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) on health and academic outcomes is well-supported in the research since Felitti, et al.’s (1998) research. Less is known about the interactions of positive supports that promote academic resilience (AR) among rural young adults who have experienced ACEs. This cross-sectional, moderated mediation study explored the factors that predict AR among young adults in rural Appalachia. We established the negative relationship between ACEs and AR, and we tested the degree to which hope and perceived social support (PSS) interact to influence that relationship. The study revealed the mediating role of hope but did not support the proposed role of PSS in moderating the relationship between ACEs and hope. We discuss this finding in the context of other research and provide recommendations for K12 educational leaders and for future research.