Adverse Childhood Experiences Among 28,047 Norwegian Adults From a General Population.

Siri H Haugland,Børge Sivertsen,Ane U Albaek,Anders Dovran

doi:10.3389/fpubh.2021.711344

Abstract

Aim: The purpose of this study was to estimate the prevalence of adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) among Norwegian adults from a general population and to identify potential associations with demographic and socioeconomic characteristics.Methods: A randomly drawn sample (N = 61,611) from the public registry of inhabitants was invited to participate in the Norwegian Counties Public Health Survey. The present study was based on online responses from 28,047 adults ≥18 years (mean age: 46.9 years, SD = 16.03). Log-link binomial regression analyses were performed to examine associations between four measures of ACEs (family conflict, lack of adult support, bad memories, and difficult childhood) and demographic (age, gender, civil status, parental divorce) and socioeconomic characteristics (education level, perceived financial situation, and welfare benefits).Results: Single individuals and those with parents that divorced during childhood were at elevated risk of all four ACEs. The risk varied to some degree between the sexes. The prevalence of ACEs declined with increasing age. We found a consistent social gradient that corresponded to the frequency of ACEs for all three socioeconomic characteristics investigated. The risks were highest for those in the lowest socioeconomic levels (RR: 1.53, 95% CI: 1.32–1.78 to RR: 4.95, CI: 4.27–5.74).Conclusions: Public health strategies should direct more attention to the interplay between ACEs and socioeconomic factors. Welfare services should be sensitive to ACEs among their service recipients.

Highlights

Adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) are stressful and potentially traumatic events experienced by children before the age of 18 years
The number of children living in low income families in Norway has tripled over the last two decades, and more people receive disability benefits here compared to other countries that are members of the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (14)
Adverse Childhood Experiences ACEs were assessed with these four questionnaire items: 1. Did you experience a lot of arguing, turmoil, conflicts, or difficult communication in your childhood home?

Summary

Introduction

Adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) are stressful and potentially traumatic events experienced by children before the age of 18 years. The term “ACE” originated in the Adverse Childhood Experiences study, conducted in 1998 They grouped ACEs into three domains: abuse, neglect, and household dysfunction (4). ACEs appear to be highly socially patterned and individuals with low socioeconomic statuses report more ACEs (9) Due to their occurrence early in life, it is likely that ACEs impact socioeconomic outcomes in adulthood, such as educational attainment, employment, and income (10, 11). Few studies have investigated the prevalence of ACEs and their association with socioeconomic and demographic factors in a Nordic context and in a general population of adults. This information is important to improve our understanding of the inequalities and determinants of health in Western societies. Epidemiological studies that identify high-risk groups are essential in developing policy and service-delivery systems directed toward reducing the negative consequences of ACEs (15)

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Conclusion