Graduate Program
School Psychology
Degree Name
Specialist in School Psychology
Semester of Degree Completion
Spring 2025
Thesis Director
Steven J. Scher
Thesis Committee Member
Assege HaileMariam
Thesis Committee Member
Ronan S. Bernas
Abstract
This study was designed to examine emotion regulation and perceived availability of social support as possible protective factors to the relationship between adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) and mental health issues. The study explored both emotion regulation difficulties and perceived availability of social support (PASS) as mediators to the relationship between ACEs and mental health issues. Emotion regulation difficulties were also assessed as a mediator between PASS and mental health issues. PASS was tested as a moderator between ACEs and mental health issues by affecting emotion regulation.
Results indicated that emotion regulation and PASS each partially mediated the relationship between ACEs and mental health issues. The direct effect of ACEs on mental health was greater than the indirect effect via emotion regulation or PASS. When the mediational paths of emotion regulation and PASS were examined together, a substantial relationship between ACEs and mental health that did not appear to travel these two mediating variables remained. PASS did moderate the ACEs – mental health issues relationship, and emotion regulation difficulties mediated the relationship between PASS and mental health.
Recommended Citation
McCarthy, Cassidy B., "Emotion Regulation and Social Support as Protective Factors to the Associations Between Adverse Childhood Experiences and Mental Health-Related Issues" (2025). Masters Theses. 5085.
https://thekeep.eiu.edu/theses/5085
