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Adverse Childhood Experiences, Quality of Life and the Mediating Roles of Self-Efficacy and Self-Directedness in Youth Residential Care Leavers

Author

Listed:
  • Milou Leiting

    (University of Basel)

  • Katharina Beck

    (University of Basel)

  • David Bürgin

    (University of Basel
    University of Zurich)

  • Jörg M. Fegert

    (University Hospital Ulm)

  • Nils Jenkel

    (University of Basel)

  • Cyril Boonmann

    (University of Basel
    Leiden University Medical Center)

  • Klaus Schmeck

    (University of Basel)

  • Alexander Grob

    (University of Basel)

  • Marc Schmid

    (University of Basel)

Abstract

Purpose Young people in youth residential care report high rates of adverse childhood experiences (ACEs), e.g., abuse and neglect in their families. Various studies show ACEs to impair social participation and mental health, whereas less is known about how ACEs are associated with quality of life (QoL). The aim of the current study is to (1) evaluate the association between ACEs and psychological, physical, social, and environmental QoL in young adult care leavers, and (2) to examine how self-efficacy and self-directedness mediate this association. Methods 179 formerly out-of-home placed young adults (Mage = 26.5, 33.4% women, response rate = 30.3%) were queried at baseline with the Junior Temperament and Character Inventory Revised (JTCI 12-18-R) and at a 10-year follow-up with the Maltreatment and Abuse Chronology of Exposure (MACE) scale, the General Self-Efficacy Scale (GSE) and the World Health Organization Quality-of-Life Questionnaire (WHOQoL-BREF). Results Prevalence rates for ACEs were high, with 87.2% of participants experiencing at least one type of ACE. Cumulative ACEs were associated with lower QoL in all four domains. Self-efficacy (β = -0.111, [-0.187, -0.044]) and self-directedness (β = -0.052, [-0.123, -0.004]) partially mediated the association between severity of ACEs and overall QoL. Conclusions ACEs increase the risk for a lower QoL of young adult care leavers. Results underline the importance of prevention and early intervention efforts for troubled young people and their families, as well as the importance of pedagogical work during residential care. Additional to research on functional outcomes, studies investigating well-being and quality of life in this at-risk populations are needed.

Suggested Citation

  • Milou Leiting & Katharina Beck & David Bürgin & Jörg M. Fegert & Nils Jenkel & Cyril Boonmann & Klaus Schmeck & Alexander Grob & Marc Schmid, 2024. "Adverse Childhood Experiences, Quality of Life and the Mediating Roles of Self-Efficacy and Self-Directedness in Youth Residential Care Leavers," Applied Research in Quality of Life, Springer;International Society for Quality-of-Life Studies, vol. 19(6), pages 3479-3499, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:spr:ariqol:v:19:y:2024:i:6:d:10.1007_s11482-024-10392-z
    DOI: 10.1007/s11482-024-10392-z
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    References listed on IDEAS

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