Date of Award
12-1-2025
Degree Name
Doctor of Philosophy
Department
Human Sciences
First Advisor
McDaniel, Justin
Abstract
This dissertation examines the impact of Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) and Benevolent Childhood Experiences (BCEs) on the physical and mental health of African American veterans. Although a large body of research has documented the long-term health consequences of early adversity, there remains limited empirical work focusing specifically on African American veterans and the potentially protective role of BCEs. This study addresses that gap by investigating whether ACEs and BCEs are predictive of physical health conditions, behavioral health patterns, and mental health outcomes in this population.The research utilized data from the 2021–2023 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS), focusing on a subsample of 133 African American veterans who responded to the optional ACE and BCE modules. Confirmatory factor analyses (CFA) were used to validate the psychometric properties of the ACE and BCE scales. Logistic regression models were applied to assess associations between childhood experience scores and key health indicators, including obesity, cardiovascular disease, physical activity, smoking, binge drinking, depression, and psychological distress. Among the most frequently reported adverse experiences in this sample was childhood sexual abuse, a form of trauma consistently linked to long-term psychological distress. Veterans with higher ACE scores, including those exposed to sexual trauma, demonstrated significantly greater risks of depression and more frequent poor mental health days. ACEs were also significantly associated with decreased physical activity. In contrast, BCEs were not significantly protective against poor mental health outcomes but were inversely associated with binge drinking. The limited effects of BCEs may reflect measurement constraints rather than an absence of impact. This dissertation highlights the importance of trauma-informed, culturally responsive health care interventions tailored to the lived experiences of African American veterans. It emphasizes the need for improved screening of childhood experiences, particularly sexual trauma, within clinical and public health settings. The findings also support the development of comprehensive, culturally grounded tools to measure resilience-building factors, such as BCEs. Ultimately, healing and health promotion must begin with a deeper understanding of each veteran’s whole life story, including the adversities and affirmations that shaped them long before military service began.
Access
This dissertation is Open Access and may be downloaded by anyone.