Understanding the Associations Among Trauma Symptoms, Impulse Control, and Spirituality

Adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) are common and have been linked to a variety of negative outcomes, such as trauma-related symptoms and, in some cases, difficulties with impulse control. However, less is known about how spirituality might influence these relationships in youth. The current study examines the associations among ACEs, trauma-related symptoms, impulse control, and spirituality in a sample of 252 children aged 10-17 years of age. Using archival data from the National Institute of Justice, we examined whether (1) the effect of ACEs on trauma-related symptoms is moderated by spirituality and (2) the effect of ACEs on impulse control is moderated by spirituality. We propose that spirituality will (1) weaken the positive relation between ACEs and trauma-related symptoms and (2) weaken the positive relation between ACEs and impulse control problems. In examining the interaction among these concepts to better understand the impact of childhood trauma and the role of spirituality as a potential protective factor, we found that spirituality strengthened the relationship between ACEs and trauma-related symptoms, while no association was observed between ACEs and impulse control problems at any level of spirituality. Research and clinical implications are discussed.