Adverse Childhood Experiences and Deviant Behaviour Among University Students: Exploring the Roles of Self‐Regulation and Age

Abstract

ABSTRACT The present study investigated the association between ACE and deviant behaviour among students, with moderating roles of self‐regulation and age. In a cross‐sectional design, 420 students were surveyed using ACE, deviant behaviour, and self‐regulation scales. The study revealed that ACE predicted deviant behaviour ( β = 0.26, p < 0.001), but age did not. Furthermore, age ( β = −0.18, p = 0.0049) and self‐regulation ( β = −0.60, p = 0.003) moderated ACE on deviance behaviour. That is, students with high self‐regulation reported less deviance when exposed to high ACE. However, the effect sizes were modest, with ACE alone explaining 6.8% of the variance in deviant behaviour and the moderation model explaining 10.0%. Given the nature of the study, the findings should be interpreted as evidence of statistical association rather than causation. The study highlights the relevance of trauma‐informed, culturally responsive, and developmentally sensitive student‐support services that strengthen self‐regulatory skills and address the psychosocial needs of students with histories of adversity.