Abstract

This study aimed to investigate the lasting effects of "historical trauma" on the well-being and "social capital" of historically disadvantaged social groups. We examined rates of depressive disorder, as well as employment status and income levels, using the 2020 dataset from the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS). Various analyses, including Analysis of Variance, Chi-Square, and Independent Sample t-tests, were conducted. As expected if the impact of historical trauma continues in modern society, these analyses revealed significant differences in Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACE) scores between the White population and the Hispanic population, as well as between the White population and the American Indian/Alaska Native populations. Furthermore, females exhibited significantly higher ACE scores than males. Additionally, the analyses demonstrated a significant association between ACE scores and individuals' "social capital." Overall, these findings provide evidence of the persistent influence of historical trauma on the economic well-being and mental health of disadvantaged groups in contemporary American society