The association between adverse childhood experiences and co-occurrence of health risk behaviors in adolescents: the chained mediating role of self-efficacy and self-control
Year: 2025
Type: article
Study design: Observational Study
Abstract: BACKGROUND: The Co-occurrence of Health Risk Behaviors (ACEs) among adolescents has become a significant public health issue that urgently needs to be addressed. This study aims to investigate the prevalence of Co-occurrence of Health Risk Behaviors among adolescents and to explore the mediating role of self-efficacy (SE) and self-control (SC) in the relationship between adverse childhood experiences and Co-occurrence of Health Risk Behaviors (CHRBs). METHODS: A total of 7901 adolescents in China were surveyed using the following instruments: the Adolescent Health Risk Behaviors Survey Questionnaire, the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9), the Mobile Phone Addiction Index (MPAI), the Adverse Childhood Experiences Questionnaire (ACEQ), the General Self-Efficacy Scale (GSES), and the Self-Control Scale (SCS). Data were analyzed using SPSS 25.0 software. RESULTS: (1) Adverse childhood experiences significantly and positively predicted Co-occurrence of Health Risk Behaviors among adolescents (p < 0.05). (2) Adverse childhood experiences indirectly influenced Co-occurrence of Health Risk Behaviors through the partial mediating effects of self-efficacy and self-control (p < 0.05). (3) Adverse childhood experiences also indirectly influenced Co-occurrence of Health Risk Behaviors through the chained mediating effects of self-efficacy and self-control (p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: This study further elucidates the relationship between adverse childhood experiences and Co-occurrence of Health Risk Behaviors among adolescents, as well as the chained mediating role of self-efficacy and self-control. These findings confirm the mechanism by which adverse childhood experiences influence Co-occurrence of Health Risk Behaviors. The results suggest that creating a favorable living environment for children and adolescents should become a societal consensus. Additionally, when intervening with adolescents who exhibit problematic behaviors, it is important to focus on enhancing their self-efficacy and self-control to mitigate the long-term impact of adverse childhood experiences.
Source: BMC Psychology
Authors: Tao Xu, Yongsheng Wang, Zhengying Han, Lvhao Liu, Jiajia Chen
Institutions: Jishou University, Guangxi Normal University
Language: English
Topic: Child Abuse and Trauma
Subfield: Clinical Psychology
Field: Psychology
Domain: Social Sciences
Open Access status: gold
Estimated APC paid: $1,990
OpenAlex ID: W4416690551