The Predictive Power of Adverse Childhood Experiences on Trust in the Medical Profession among Residents of a Public Housing Facility - Abstract
Attachment theory holds that experiences of childhood abuse or neglect negatively impacts individuals’ trust in others, particularly care giving figures, into adulthood. Per attachment theory, this study explored the relationship between the experiences of childhood abuse or neglect and trust in the medical profession among adults drawn from a public housing facility. This cross sectional study employed the Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) scale and the Trust in the Medical Profession Scale (TMPS) to examine the predictive power of ACE scores on trust in the medical profession. Results of a regression analysis (N = 63) indicated that ACE scores were indeed a moderate, negative predictor of trust in the medical profession. The negative relationship found between ACEs and trust in the medical profession suggests that lower trust in the medical profession may be a mediator of the well established relationship between ACEs and poor health, as lower trust in the medical profession has itself been linked to poor health outcomes. The study concludes with a discussion of the implications of the results on practice and research for those who have experienced ACEs.