Date
6-17-2026
Department
School of Behavioral Sciences
Degree
Doctor of Philosophy in Psychology (PhD)
Chair
James Guy
Keywords
Childhood trauma, protective factors, adolescence, adult depressive symptoms, resiliency, spirituality
Disciplines
Psychology
Recommended Citation
Fox, Michaela L., "The Role of Resilient/Protective Factors in Adolescence as a Buffer Among Adults with a History of Childhood Trauma and Symptoms of Depression in Adults" (2026). Doctoral Dissertations and Projects. 8637.
https://digitalcommons.liberty.edu/doctoral/8637
Abstract
Childhood trauma includes adverse experiences during early development, such as physical, emotional, sexual, or verbal abuse and neglect, and is associated with negative outcomes, including depressive symptoms in adulthood. This study examined whether protective factors during adolescence are related to adult depressive symptoms among individuals with a history of childhood trauma. Two research questions guided the study: (a) Is there a difference in adult depressive symptoms between individuals with minimal versus significant protective factors during adolescence, and (b) Is there a statistically significant relationship between adolescent spirituality and adult depressive symptoms? A quantitative, correlational design was used with self-report surveys administered online. Participants (N = 84), ages 18–65, self-reported a history of childhood trauma and were recruited through social media. Standardized instruments assessed childhood trauma, depressive symptoms, adolescent protective factors, and adolescent spirituality. Descriptive statistics summarized the sample, and analyses included an independent samples t-test and Pearson correlation. Results indicated a statistically significant difference in depressive symptoms between groups, with higher levels among individuals reporting minimal protective factors. A statistically significant negative relationship was also found between adolescent spirituality and adult depressive symptoms, indicating that higher spirituality was associated with lower depressive symptoms. These findings suggest that protective factors and spirituality during adolescence may buffer long-term depressive outcomes and support resilience among individuals with a history of childhood trauma.
