Adverse childhood experiences, and instability in Children's care and Parents' work

Abstract

Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs), such as abuse, neglect, exposure to violence, parental mental illness and substance abuse are linked with a host of negative life outcomes. To support young children facing ACEs through Early Care and Education (ECE), challenges such as instability must be understood and addressed. This study examines associations between ACEs during early childhood and instability related to ECE among 2, 466 children attending ECE in the Fragile Families and Child Wellbeing Study. Parents reported instability in children's ECE and disruptions in their work or school stemming from instability in children's ECE. Parents also reported indicators of ACEs when children were three years of age. Over half of the children had at least one ACE; 12% had three or more. Children's ACEs predicted more instability, in both children's ECE, and in disruptions in parents' work/school due to problems arranging and keeping ECE.