Adverse Childhood Experiences Predicting Psychological Distress among Black Youth: Exploring Self-Control as a Moderator

Contextual risk factors, such as adverse childhood experiences (ACEs), have a significant impact on the mental health of Black youth. Surprisingly, few studies focus efforts specifically on Black youth. The present study investigates the influence of ACEs on psychological distress among Black youth. Additionally, guided by social cognitive theory, this study highlights emotional self-control as a protective mechanism against the negative consequences of ACEs. Our findings show that ACEs (T1) predicted psychological distress among Black youth a year later (T2). Emotional self-control emerged as a significant buffer of ACEs on the association with psychological distress. Thus, to prevent negative mental health outcomes for Black youth, it is imperative to focus prevention efforts on the crucial risk factors that affect healthy development. By working to increase emotional self-control among Black youth who suffered adverse childhood experiences, negative mental health outcomes over time can be reduced.