Adverse Childhood Experiences and Addictive Behavior
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Authors
Grace Buckingham
Issue Date
2026
Type
Language
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Abstract
The purpose of this study is to examine the relationship between Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) and addictive behaviors. ACEs are traumatic experiences during childhood, which have been associated with numerous negative consequences in adulthood. Past research has even explored how these traumatic experiences impact risky and/or addictive behaviors and found that ACEs are associated with higher levels of both. This study will build on this past research by exploring how childhood trauma might relate to problematic sports betting as a young adult. Sports betting is a relatively new phenomenon that, despite its real-world consequences, has not been well researched.
The goal of this study is to examine the potential correlation between ACEs and sports betting, with measures of self-esteem, emotion regulation, and conformity to male norms being used as mediating/moderating variables. The Adverse Childhood Experiences Questionnaire (ACE-Q) is being used to assess exposure to traumatic experiences in childhood. A revised version of the South Oaks Gambling Screen (referring specifically to gambling behaviors) is being used as a measure for assessing sports gambling behaviors. Moderators/mediators are being assessed using the Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale, the Difficulties in Emotion Regulation Scale, and the Male Role Norms Inventory.
Data collection is scheduled to begin next week, so results are not yet available. However, the expected findings are that greater exposure to adverse childhood experiences will be associated with higher levels of sports betting and gambling-related problems among college students. It is also expected that self-esteem, emotion regulation difficulties, and conformity to male role norms may serve as significant mediating factors. Regression analyses will be performed in Jamovi, with analysis of mediation and moderation performed separately. Because sports betting is a problematic behavior among college students, this study has the potential to contribute important information that could lead to targeted interventions of college students with higher ACES scores. Analysis of moderators/mediators could inform interventions targeted at self-esteem, emotion regulation, or male role norms.