Adolescent Profiles Amid Substantial Adverse Childhood Experiences: A Latent Profile Analysis on Personality, Cognitive, Behavioral, and Social Outcomes

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Investments in Adverse Childhood Experience Prevention Efforts

Adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) studies reveal the profound impacts of experiencing trauma and hardships in childhood. However, the cumulative risk approach of treating ACEs obscures the heterogeneity of ACEs and their consequences, making actionable interventions impossible. latent class analysis (LCA) has increasingly been used to address these concerns by identifying underlying subgroups of people who experience distinctive patterns of co-occurring ACEs. Though LCA has its strengths, the existing research produces few comparable findings because LCA results are dependent on ACEs measures and indicators, which vary widely by study. Therefore, a scoping review of ACEs studies using LCA that focuses on ACEs measures, indicators, and findings is needed to inform the field. Following Arksey and O’Malley’s five-stage scoping review methodological framework, we first identified 211 articles from databases of EBSCOhost, PubMed, and Scopus using “adverse childhood experiences” for title search and “latent class analysis” for abstract search. Based on the inclusion criteria of peer-reviewed articles written in English published from 2012 to 2022 and the exclusion criteria of nonempirical studies and the LCA not analyzing ACEs, we finally selected 58 articles in this scoping review. Results showed LCA has been increasingly endorsed in the ACEs research community to examine the associations between ACEs and human health and well-being across culturally diverse populations. LCA overcame the limitations of the traditional methods by revealing specific ACEs clusters that exert potent effects on certain outcomes. However, the arbitrary nature of selecting ACEs indicators, measures, and the limited use of theory impedes the field from moving forward.

Bullying is a persistent social and behavioral problem in the United States. Bullying victimization and perpetration are linked to a host of negative physical, social, and emotional outcomes. Research suggests that a key risk factor for bullying behaviors is adverse childhood experiences (ACEs). On the other hand, positive childhood experiences (PCEs) may counter some of the negative effects of ACEs. This study (a) assesses the independent effects of ACEs and PCEs on adolescent bullying victimization and perpetration, and (b) examines whether ACEs and PCEs interact to affect bullying victimization and perpetration.We use data from the 2020 to 2021 National Survey of Children's Health, a nationally representative survey of children ages 0 to 17 in the United States. The analytic sample was limited to children who were 6 years old or older at the time of the survey (N = 60,809). Using caregiver reports of bullying victimization and perpetration, we created a cumulative ACEs scale comprised of 10 items and a cumulative PCEs scale comprised of eight measures. We then estimated a set of logistic regression models to predict bullying behaviors. The results showed that ACEs are associated with a higher likelihood of both bullying victimization and perpetration. Although PCEs have a slight mitigating effect, ACEs and PCEs interact such that even in the presence of PCEs, children with many ACEs still have a higher likelihood of both bullying victimization and perpetration. This highlights the considerable impact of ACEs on bullying behaviors. These findings suggest that enhancing ACE-aware care and ACE prevention is important because even promoting PCEs is unlikely to decrease bullying levels on their own.

Aims The publication of the pioneering Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) study,1 has resulted in an increasing body of evidence demonstrating that exposure to ACEs has a significant impact on adult health outcomes. Our aim was to evaluate the level of awareness and enquiry regarding ACEs amongst paediatricians in clinical practice in the UK. Methods An electronic questionnaire was distributed to a sample of hospital and community based paediatricians in practice in the UK. Details of the original ACE study were provided including the 10 ACEs: Abuse: Physical Emotional Sexual Neglect: Physical Emotional Household Member: Mental illness Substance Misuse Incarceration Maternal Domestic Violence Parental Divorce or Separation Questions were subsequently posed regarding the current level of routine enquiry and management of ACEs in paediatric clinical consultations. Results The survey resulted in 74 completed questionnaires. Prior to this survey, 50% of the respondents were not familiar with the findings of the original ACEs study whilst 16.7% reported being very familiar with the findings. Enquiry related to ACEs in paediatric clinical consultations (table 1): Conclusion Whilst knowledge of the ACEs study appears to be relatively low amongst the sampled group of UK paediatricians, it is reassuring that enquiry related to specific ACEs is already embedded in clinical practice. This is supported by the presence of an excellent and established range of allied services available for onward referral and definitive management. The American Academy of Paediatrics (AAP) has published a position statement supporting routine screening for ACEs in the USA.2 This has resulted in a gathering of momentum with an ACE focussed approach to paediatrics supported by the National Paediatric Practice Community (NPPC).3 The findings of this survey represent a significant opportunity. A compelling case is made for child advocacy and an evidence base for sustained investment in all allied services which positively impact on ACEs. The future health of the nation rests on our collective response to the findings of the ACEs study. References . Felitti VJ, Anda RF, Nordenberg D, et al. Relationship of child-hood abuse and household dysfunction to many of the leading causes of death in adults: The Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACE) Study. American Journal of Preventive Medicine14:245–258. . Andrew S Garner, Jack P Shonkoff, Benjamin S Siegel, Mary I Dobbins, Marian F Earls, Andrew S Garner, Laura McGuinn, John Pascoe, David L Wood. Early childhood adversity, toxic stress, and the role of the paediatrician: Translating developmental science into lifelong health. Paediatrics2012;129:e224–e231. . http://nppcaces.org [Accessed: 21st October 2017].

Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) and low household income are associated with adolescent mental health challenges, and children from lower-income households experience more ACEs. Less is known about how ACEs may cluster for sub-groups of individuals (e.g. those with differing household incomes) or if different ACE clusters are associated with differential mental health outcomes. Using data from the Future of Families and Child Wellbeing Study (n = 2,524) and seven ACE indicators (harsh physical discipline; emotional/verbal abuse neglect; parent mental illness, problematic substance use, incarceration, and intimate partner violence), we conducted latent class analysis to identify distinct combinations of early childhood ACE exposure (ages 0–5). Then we tested associations between household income (relative to needs; at birth) and ACE class membership, as well as ACE class membership and adolescent depression and anxiety symptoms. We identified three distinct latent classes characterized as: “Low ACEs”, “Physical/Emotional Abuse,” and “High ACEs.” Household income at birth was associated with early childhood ACE class membership and ACE class membership was associated with differential adolescent mental health outcomes. Future research and interventions must consider how different ACE combinations (beyond the simple count of ACEs) uniquely impact health/wellbeing, and the role that household income has in the patterning of ACEs.

Association of Adverse Childhood Experiences With Childhood Atopic Dermatitis in the United States.

Racial/ethnic differences in clusters of adverse childhood experiences and associations with adolescent mental health

While research tends to focus on understanding risk factors associated with adverse childhood and adolescent experiences, there is growing empirical support within the field of human services to also focus on strengths and protective factors that bolster resilience in life. This study investigated the psychometrics of the Resilience Protective Factors Checklist (RPFC), which is a questionnaire that assists in the identification of protective factors empirically linked to resilience and positive outcomes. In addition, associations between protective factors, childhood adversity, and quality of life outcomes were examined. Participants were undergraduate college students (n = 1,256). The results revealed good psychometric properties for the RPFC and the factor analysis supported the resilience structural model of three interrelated areas of protective factors - Individual, Family, and Community influences. All three areas of protection were positively correlated with all four domains of positive life outcomes (physical health, psychological health, social relationships, and a healthy environment) and negatively correlated with adverse childhood experiences. RPFC's individual protective factors positively predicted physical health and psychological health outcomes, while the community protective factors positively predicted environmental health outcomes. In addition, the RPFC's family protective factors moderated the path between adverse childhood experiences and social relationships. That is, for individuals who have experienced more adverse childhood experiences, those with higher levels of RPFC family protective factors had positive social relationship outcomes, while those with lower levels of family protective factors had negative social relationship outcomes. These findings lend support for the utilization of assessment measures for identifying and promoting protective factors that can buffer life adversity and heighten resilient positive outcomes.

The Adverse Childhood Experiences study suggests childhood adversity is a "root" origin for health and human development. Newer research is examining the more immediate impact of adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) on child development and the impact of neighborhood environment on the likelihood of and prevention ACEs. The extent to which all of these aspects of the child context fit together remains unclear. The current study seeks to fill this gap examining the precursors for ACEs and the multitude of ways in which a child's home life can impact his or her development. Using data from 3001 mothers of children in the Fragile Families and Child Wellbeing Study, this study investigates the relationship between neighborhood disorder, ACEs, and child behavioral health. Using a path analysis, the direct and indirect relations between neighborhood disorder and child behavioral health are estimated, with ACEs as the key mediator. The most common ACE in our study was intimate partner violence (IPV), followed by child emotional abuse. Neighborhood disorder is associated with higher levels of ACEs and is both directly and indirectly (through its relation with ACEs) negatively related to child behavioral health. Screening for ACEs for children living in disordered neighborhoods may help reduce those experiences and their impacts in this high-risk population. Preventive interventions related to IPV and child emotional abuse may be especially helpful.

The interrelatedness of multiple forms of childhood abuse, neglect, and household dysfunction

Adverse Childhood Experiences and Spanking Have Similar Associations with Early Behavior Problems

A descriptive study of adverse childhood experiences and depression, anxiety, and stress among undergraduate nursing students.

BackgroundAdverse childhood experiences (ACEs) are associated with increased risk for a wide range of negative health outcomes, in-cluding sexual dysfunctions. There is a growing interest to advance the science of ACEs to improve the lives of children and families worldwide.Participants and procedureThe purpose of the present study was to explore the extent to which ACEs occur in patients with sexual dysfunctions in Armenia. To this end, the ACE questionnaire was used to assess the presence of adverse experiences from 85 female patients with sexual dysfunctions and 155 sex- and age-adjusted controls.ResultsMore than two-thirds of the patients (74.1%) had been exposed to one or more ACEs and 27.2% had been exposed to four or more ACEs. In the control group, these numbers were 56.1% and 18.1% respectively. Patients had significantly higher ACE scores (M = 2.06, SD = 1.95) than the control group (M = 1.65, SD = 2.50). Parental divorce and witnessing mother being abused (treated violently) were the most prevalent adversities in the patients.ConclusionsThe presence of multiple adverse childhood experiences in the patient group suggests that psychogenic factors are likely involved in sexual dysfunctions. ACEs Aware initiatives in Armenia aimed at screening for childhood adversities can improve the treatment of sexual dysfunctions and ultimately improve health and wellbeing.

ACE domains and depression: Investigating which specific domains are associated with depression in adulthood

AimsAdverse childhood experiences (ACE’s) encompass many traumatic events occurring in early years (0-17years) including, but not limited to, childhood abuse and household dysfunction. It’s known that ACE’s can increase the...