Understanding the Impact of Trauma in Hispanic Nursing Students: Resilience and Learning Outcomes

Abstract

Introduction: The purpose of the research was to examine the relationship between Hispanic nursing students’ trauma experiences and the influence on resilience and learning outcomes. Methods: The study used quantitative, correlational methods to analyze the data. The survey tool included the Adverse Childhood Experience International Questionnaire, a resilience scale, and results from a standardized academic exam. Data Analysis was conducted using descriptive statistics and multivariate correlation analysis. Results: The results provide evidence of a negative relationship between trauma levels and resilience. As students’ trauma scores increased their level of resilience decreased. No observed significant relationship between the Hispanic nursing student’s lived trauma and learning outcomes was noted. Conclusion: This study will help in understanding the stressors that might affect students and help educators to create environments within the classroom that will allow students to overcome these stressors. Evidence identified that Hispanic nursing students experienced multiple traumatic childhood events. Through the study of traumatic experiences in nursing students, we garner insights into the prevalence of adverse experiences in this population. Additionally, given projections of a nursing shortage, evidence that lends insights to ensure Hispanic nursing student success will ultimately benefit nursing and patient care.

Triple-jeopardy! COVID-19, high ACE scores, and the US–Mexico border: Mitigating risks with trauma-informed pedagogy

“…A higher need for coping coupled with lowered abilities (related to high ACEs) is a detrimental combination for nursing students. These results demonstrated the urgency of implementing the trauma informed care pedagogy for our student population ( Fowler & Wholeben, 2023 ; George et al, 2022 ; McKee-Lopez et al, 2019 ).…”

“…Although the demands of undergraduate programs in nursing have always been considered stressful, Coronovirus-2019 (COVID-19) has exacerbated the stress for nursing students worldwide ( Goodard et al, 2021 ). Additionally, some student populations may face additional challenges due to their high Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) scores and living on the United States-Mexico border ( Aguilar, 2018 ; Eno Louden, 2022 ; Fowler & Wholeben, 2023 ; McKee-Lopez et al, 2019 ). According to the Center for Disease Control (2023) , there is a correlation between having adverse childhood experiences and having chronic health conditions, mental illnesses, and substance abuse issues as an adult.…”

“…In addition to the intensified stressors created by COVID-19 affecting nursing students globally, the additional challenges faced by certain student populations who demonstrate high ACE scores deserve consideration. These higher ACE scores have been tied to increased anxiety, burnout, depression, depression severity, stress, and decreased resilience in nursing students ( Hedrick et al, 2021 ; Fowler & Wholeben, 2023 ; McKee-Lopez et al, 2019 ).…”

“…Preliminary research was conducted by Fowler & Wholeben (2023) to investigate the relationships between resilience, ACE scores, and learning outcomes in Hispanic Nursing students. Undergraduate nursing students completed the Adverse Childhood Experiences International Questionnaire (ACE-IQ) instrument.…”

“…In a national survey by Clark et al (2021) , 40.68% of nursing students experienced four or more ACE events, in contrast to Giano et al (2020) , who found that 13.3% of the general population experienced four or more ACE events. Events in the recent past, such as border violence and the COVID-19 pandemic, may have strained coping abilities ( Aguilar, 2018 ; Fowler & Wholeben, 2023 ; McKee-Lopez et al, 2019 ). A higher need for coping coupled with lowered abilities (related to high ACEs) is a detrimental combination for nursing students.…”