Associations between Mental Health Outcomes and Adverse Childhood Experiences and Character Strengths among University Students in Southern China

Adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) can negatively affect mental health, whereas character strengths seem to be positively correlated with mental health. Detailed information on the history of ACEs among university students in China and the extent which mental health is associated with ACEs and character strengths can contribute to the needed empirical evidence for relevant stakeholders. Objectives of this study are 1) to estimate the prevalence of ACEs among undergraduate students in Southern China; and 2) to assess the extent which mental health outcomes (positive growth, well-being, and depression) are associated with ACEs and character strengths among undergraduate students in Southern China. We conducted a selfadministered survey among first and second-year students at a university in Southern China and analyzed data using descriptive statistics and linear regression analyses. Among the 779 students who completed the questionnaire, 283 were males, 439 were females, and 57 did not indicate their gender. The prevalence of ACEs among the participants was 32.1%. History of ACEs was associated with lower positive growth score (Adjusted Beta = -0.20; 95% CI = -0.37, -0.02; p = 0.030) and lower well-being score (Adjusted Beta = -1.13; 95% CI = -2.04, -0.23; p = 0.014). Vitality domain of character strength was associated with all three mental health outcomes after adjusting for covariables (all p-values < 0.001). Our study findings provide empirical evidence for stakeholders in university mental health. However, caveats regarding lack of temporality, selection bias, social desirability bias, and lack of generalizability should be considered in the interpretation of the study findings.