The Association of Adverse and Benevolent Childhood Experiences with Grit Among Gen Z: The Mediating Role of Emotional Regulation

Grit is important to experiencing success and is shaped through several childhood experiences. However, the association of adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) and benevolent childhood experiences (BCEs) to grit is underexplored, especially through emotional regulation. Hence, this study examined the association between ACEs, BCEs, emotional regulation, and grit. Further, we investigated the mediating role of emotional regulation between (a) ACEs and grit and (b) BCEs and grit. Self-report measures of ACEs, BCEs, emotional regulation, and grit were used to collect data from 548 Gen Z young adults born in 1997 or later (Female = 344, Male = 202, Mean age = 20.39) in India. We applied descriptive statistics, linear regression, and structural equation modelling (SEM) to analyze the data. The analyses revealed a significant negative association of ACEs with emotional regulation and grit, whereas BCEs were associated positively. Emotional regulation fully mediated the relationships between (a) ACEs and grit (β = -.08; CI = −.13 to −.04) and (b) BCEs and grit (β = .16; CI = .10 to .23). The study findings confirm the negative relationship of ACEs on an important life outcome, grit. However, BCEs showed beneficial effects. Furthermore, emotional regulation explains the association between negative and positive childhood experiences and grit. These findings have implications for fostering emotional regulation and mitigating the negative outcomes of ACEs among emerging adults.