Impact of Adverse Childhood Experiences on Achievement Orientation among School Children in Enugu State

This study investigated the impact of childhood adversity on achievement orientation among school children in Enugu State, Nigeria. The study adopted ex-post-facto research design. A sample of 471 school children who met the inclusion criteria drawn through purposive sampling techniques was used. Adverse Childhood Experience Questionnaire (ACEQ) and Students’ Achievement Orientation Questionnaire (SAOQ) were the instruments used for data collection. Means, standard deviation and ANOVA were used for data analysis. Major findings revealed that school children who are vulnerable to ACEs manifest low achievement orientation than those who are not/less vulnerable, irrespective of gender. The results suggested, among other things, that educators, parents, and caregivers be made aware of the negative impact of ACEs on children and adults, as well as preventative strategies that can be implemented at the home, school, and community levels. This action could improve the prevention and lessen the effects of childhood adversities among school children in Enugu State, Nigeria.