Schedule of Events | Symposia

Don't Risk It!: The Role ACEs and Depression have on Risky Behavior Choices

Poster Session B - Sunday, March 30, 2025, 8:00 – 10:00 am EDT, Back Bay Ballroom/Republic Ballroom

Emma Chacon¹ (emma.chacon@bruins.belmont.edu), Emily Stripling, Liam Fienberg, Kristie Stephens, Aram Akbari, Karlie Souder, Dara Olopade, Smyth Harper, Michael Oliver, PhD; ¹Belmont University

Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) are traumatic events that happen before the age of 18 (World Health Organization). ACEs have been linked to a higher chance of experiencing depression (Campbell et al., 2016). Moreover, depression and ACEs can strongly affect decision-making, especially when it comes to taking risks. For example, individuals with ACEs or depression tend to take more risks compared to those without ACEs or depression (Follet et al., 2023). Although previous research on ACEs and depression have independently been associated with risk-taking, little investigation has been done to understand how they work together to influence risky decision-making. In the present study, 36 participants completed the Balloon Analog Risk Task (BART), a computerized task designed to assess risk-taking behavior (Lejuez et al., 2002). Administered on E-Prime, participants were asked to pump up a virtual balloon to earn points but lost everything if the balloon popped. Performance on the BART has been shown to correlate well with real-world risk behavior. In addition to the BART, participants completed the Beck Depression Inventory and an ACEs questionnaire. Consistent with previous literature, results revealed that men were greater risk-takers than women. However, there was no association between ACEs, depression, and risk-taking overall. Interestingly, women with ACEs took more risks than men. It is possible that the experience of ACEs resonated with women and resulted in altered behavior compared to men. Findings underscore the importance of tailored interventions for those with ACEs, as women may be more susceptible to risk-taking behaviors as a coping mechanism.

Topic Area: THINKING: Decision making