4014.2-25: The Impact of Adverse Childhood Experiences and Psychological Distress on Mental Health Services Help Seeking Intentions Among Nursing Students 

This presentation examined Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs), psychological distress, and help-seeking intentions among nursing students. Attitudes, subjective norms, and perceived behavioral control influenced intentions, with ACEs moderating subjective norms' effect. Key barriers—time constraints, financial concerns, fear of disclosure, and stigma—highlight the need for targeted interventions to improve mental health service use.

Presenter:  Zainab Almogheer, PhD, MSN, BSN

Disclosures:  The APNA planners and faculty have no relevant financial relationships to disclose. Off-label uses will not be discussed during this presentation.

Session Length:  15 minutes

Target Audience:  RN, APRN

Learning Outcome:
Upon completion of this presentation, the participant will be able to:

• Identify two ways Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) influence psychological distress and behavioral factors that affect nursing students' intentions to seek mental health services.

Key Takeaway(s): 

• The constructs within the Theory of Planned Behavior significantly influence nursing students’ intentions to pursue mental health support.
• Practical barriers remain major challenges to mental health service utilization among nursing students.

Keywords:  Nursing Students, Adverse Childhood Experiences, Psychological Distress

Nursing Continuing Professional Development:
0.25 contact hours.  * In order to receive contact hours, you must: Listen to the entire presentation, complete the reflection activity, evaluation, and honor statement before the expiration date. Once all steps are successfully completed, a certificate will be generated online and available for you to print immediately. Contact hours cannot be awarded unless all required components are completed. 

The American Psychiatric Nurses Association is accredited as a provider of nursing continuing professional development by the American Nurses Credentialing Center’s Commission on Accreditation.

Release Date:  December 5, 2025
Access to this course will end:  December 1, 2028

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