(PS3-16) Exploring the Moderating Role of Social Support Satisfaction on Adverse Childhood Experiences and Mental Health

Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) have been recognized as significant predictors of adverse mental health outcomes in adulthood (Merrick et al., 2017). However, recent research suggests that the presence of strong social support networks may play a crucial role in buffering the detrimental effects of ACEs on mental health (Calhoun et al., 2022). For instance, a study by Evans et al. (2013) revealed that perceived social support from both family and friends significantly predicted lower trauma symptoms for both men and women, regardless of the severity of maltreatment experienced. It is particularly important to identify possible protective factors in parents due to the potential for intergenerational transmission of psychopathology. In the present study, we hypothesized that satisfaction with social support would moderate the relationship between ACEs and mental health in a sample of parents with young children (ages 2-7). Data were collected from 371 individuals (M_age= 32.6, SD = 5.7, 72% female, 27% male, 1% non-binary) who completed the following online questionnaires: Adverse Childhood Experiences Survey (Felitti et al., 1998), Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7 (Spitzer et al., 2006), Patient Health Questionnaire (depression; Kroenke et al., 2001), and Social Support Questionnaire - Short Form (Sarason et al., 1987). Anxiety and depression symptoms were combined into an overall mental health composite. Multiple regression analyses were run to examine the moderating effect of satisfaction with social support on the relationship between ACEs and mental health outcomes. The overall regression was significant (F(3,367) = 21.9, p</em> < .001) explaining 15.2% of the variance in mental health symptoms. Results showed no significant interaction between social support and ACEs (t(367) = .45, p = .65), however, each uniquely predicted mental health outcomes (ACEs: t(367) = 6.66, p < .001; social support: (t(367) = -2.82, p = .005). The current findings suggest that while satisfaction with social support may not directly interact with ACEs, it remains a significant predictor of mental health outcomes. This implies that even in the presence of adverse experiences during childhood, individuals who have strong social support networks tend to exhibit better mental health. These results highlight the complex nature of mental health resilience and the need for interventions that target both individual coping mechanisms and social support networks to promote overall well-being.