1.97 Adverse Childhood Experiences and Alcohol Use and Misuse: Testing the Impact of Traditional and Expanded Adverse Childhood Experiences Among Racially/Ethnically Diverse Youth Transitioning Into Adulthood

Abstract

Adverse childhood experiences (ACEs), which are potentially traumatic stressors that occur during childhood and adolescence, have been associated with an increased risk of adolescent alcohol use and misuse—a risky health behavior that has detrimental effects on health across the life span. The 10 stressors traditionally assessed in the ACEs literature (T-ACEs) overlook exposures that are particularly relevant to the experiences of racial/ethnic minorities, such as experiencing racism. An expanded set of ACEs (E-ACEs) encompasses adversities that are particularly relevant to socioeconomically and racially/ethnically diverse populations.