Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) are traumatic incidents that occur during childhood. They have been widely associated with substance use. ACEs have also been linked to increased loneliness, which has been associated with heightened substance use. However, the combined relationship between ACEs, loneliness and substance use has not been explored, particularly within a student population who are vulnerable to all three variables. This study aimed to examine how loneliness may mediate the relationship between ACEs and substance use in students. A total of 152 volunteer participants completed an online questionnaire comprising several scales measuring: ACEs (Adverse Childhood Experiences Questionnaire), loneliness (University of California Loneliness Scale, Version 3) and substance use (Alcohol, Smoking, Substance Involvement Screening Test). Results revealed significant associations between ACEs and various substances, between ACEs and loneliness and between loneliness and various substances. Loneliness was found to partially mediate four of the five mediations, revealing that students with greater ACEs are more likely to experience loneliness and subsequent substance use. These novel findings provide an answer to the initial research question and offer an alternative pathway through which ACEs influence substance use. Meaningful implications are offered for intervention development, with efforts to target feelings of loneliness among students with a history of ACEs which could mitigate risks of future substance use particularly within academic settings. However, addressing the limitations of this study with future research is essential to explore the complexity of ACEs and the mechanisms which facilitate substance use before implementing these results in student support programs and treatment for substance use.
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