Department of Family Therapy Dissertations and Applied Clinical Projects
Date of Award
2018
Document Type
Dissertation
Degree Name
Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)
Department
College of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences – Department of Family Therapy
Advisor
James Hibel
Committee Member
Anne Rambo
Committee Member
Martha Marquez
Abstract
Adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) include childhood sexual abuse, physical abuse, emotional abuse, physical neglect, emotional neglect, and household dysfunction. Much has been reported about the detrimental outcomes associated with these experiences. The associated negative outcomes of ACEs can include addiction, suicide, disability, teenage pregnancy, and early death. However, it is well known that many people experience ACEs and do very well. Rather than viewing negative outcomes only as symptoms of trauma and positive outcomes only as signs of resilience, it is possible to consider adaptations. This study focused on how adults adapted to their adverse childhood experiences. Data were collected based on semistructured interviews with nine members of the ACEs Connection Social Network, an online support group. The data were analyzed using a constructivist grounded theory methodology. A grounded theory then emerged from data, supporting the adaptation construct.
NSUWorks Citation
Jeffrey Michael Friedman. 2018. A Grounded Theory Investigation of Adaptations to Adverse Childhood Experiences. Doctoral dissertation. Nova Southeastern University. Retrieved from NSUWorks, College of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences – Department of Family Therapy. (32)
https://nsuworks.nova.edu/shss_dft_etd/32.
Included in
Marriage and Family Therapy and Counseling Commons, Social and Behavioral Sciences Commons