Childhood Trauma in College students

Key things to know What the evidence shows
How common is it? UK university meta: 55.4% ≥1 ACE; 31.6% ≥3 ACEs
Is it more common among college students? Substantial ACE burden documented in student populations
Are college students at higher risk? #N/A
How much higher is the risk? 55.4% ≥1; 31.6% ≥3 ACEs UK pooled estimate
How often can it be missed? #N/A
Does it show up differently among college students? Very Strong Yes
How might it look different? Leaving home may make trauma more visible; intimacy, authority, substances, academic pressure and independence can activate old patterns
What commonly occurs alongside it? #N/A
What can it be confused with? Adjustment difficulties; PTSD/CPTSD; ADHD; depression/anxiety
Common screening tool ACE Questionnaire — Adverse Childhood Experiences Questionnaire
Separate screening tool for college students None required; ACE measures widely used in university samples
1 of 14