Adverse Childhood Experiences Questionnaire Research Articles

Early life stress is associated with greater negative emotionality and peripheral inflammation in alcohol use disorder.

Early life stress (ELS) increases risk for psychiatric illness, including alcohol use disorder (AUD). Researchers have hypothesized that individuals with and without a history of ELS who have the same primary DSM-5 diagnosis are clinically and biologically distinct. While there is strong support for this hypothesis in the context of mood disorders, the hypothesis remains largely untested in the context of AUD. This study investigated the impact of ELS on the neuroclinical phenomenology and inflammatory profile of individuals with AUD. Treatment-seeking adults with AUD (N = 163) completed the Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACE) Questionnaire and phenotypic battery as part of a pharmacotherapy trial for AUD (NCT03594435). Participants were classified as having "no-ELS," (ACE = 0) "moderate-ELS," (ACE = 1, 2 or 3) or "high-ELS" (ACE = 4 + ). The Addictions Neuroclinical Assessment domains incentive salience and negative emotionality were derived and used to assess the neuroclinical phenomenology of AUD. We tested (1) cumulative ELS as a predictor of ANA domains and (2) ELS group differences in ANA domains. A subset of participants (N = 98) provided blood samples for a biomarker of peripheral inflammation (C-reactive protein; CRP); analyses were repeated with CRP as the outcome variable. Greater ELS predicted higher negative emotionality and elevated CRP, but not incentive salience. The high-ELS group exhibited greater negative emotionality compared with the no-ELS and moderate-ELS groups, with no difference between the latter two groups. The high-ELS group exhibited elevated CRP compared with the no/moderate-ELS group. Findings suggest that high-ELS exposure is associated with a unique AUD neuroclinical presentation marked by greater negative emotionality, and inflammatory profile characterized by elevated peripheral CRP.

The Mediating Effect of Post-Traumatic Growth on the Relationship between Adverse Childhood Experiences and Psychological Distress in Adults

Background: Research has shown that Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) are prevalent and are associated with psychological distress. Some studies indicate facing these adversities can lead to post-traumatic growth. This study aims to assess the impact of ACEs on psychological distress and post-traumatic growth and to determine the mediating effect of post-traumatic growth between ACEs and psychological distress, in a sample of adults. Methods: In this study, there were 521 participants (mean = 31.32, SD = 12.28), who answered the following surveys online: a sociodemographic questionnaire, the Family ACE Questionnaire, the Kessler Psychological Distress Scale (K10) and the Post-Traumatic Growth Inventory (PTGI). Results: ACEs were positive and significant predictors of psychological distress, and the “Change in the perception of the self and life in general” factor of post-traumatic growth was the strongest predictor of lower perceived psychological distress. Post-traumatic growth did not mediate the relationship between ACEs and psychological distress. Conclusions: These findings contribute to the improvement of clinical practice and health policies and highlight the need for a more in-depth understanding of the impact of ACEs on mental health.

History of Childhood Trauma in Patients Presenting with Conversion Disorder

Background: Conversion disorder, characterized by neurological symptoms without an identifiable organic cause, has historically posed diagnostic and therapeutic challenges. The role of psychosocial factors, especially childhood trauma, in the development of this disorder is increasingly recognized, yet the relationship remains under-explored in diverse populations. Objective: This study aimed to investigate the demographic characteristics, clinical features, and prevalence of childhood trauma among patients diagnosed with conversion disorder at a teaching hospital in Peshawar, enhancing understanding of the disorder's psychosocial dimensions. Methods: This observational study included 55 patients diagnosed with conversion disorder at the Department of Psychiatry, Khyber Teaching Hospital, Peshawar, from May 1, 2022, to April 30, 2023. Participants were diagnosed according to DSM-5 and ICD-10 criteria. Data were collected through detailed reviews of electronic medical records and structured interviews focusing on demographic data, clinical manifestations, and childhood trauma experiences. Childhood trauma was assessed using the Childhood Trauma Questionnaire (CTQ) and the Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) questionnaire. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS version 25 to calculate frequencies, means, and standard deviations. Results: Of the participants, 54.5% were female and 45.5% were male, with a significant number having only primary education (56%). The average age was 37.4 years (SD=10.2). Clinically, 81.8% reported motor symptoms, 54.5% had sensory symptoms, and 36.4% experienced seizure-like episodes. The average duration of symptoms was 18.6 months (SD=7.9). Childhood trauma was reported by 36.4% for physical abuse, 27.3% for sexual abuse, and 45.5% for emotional abuse. High CTQ scores indicated substantial trauma levels among participants. Conclusion: The study confirms a high prevalence of childhood trauma among patients with conversion disorder and underscores the need for a comprehensive, trauma-informed approach in managing these patients. The findings highlight the importance of considering psychosocial factors in the diagnosis and treatment of conversion disorder to improve patient outcomes.

Mental health among ethnic minority adolescents in Vietnam and correlated factors: A cross-sectional study

ObjectiveThis study aimed to measure the rate of depression, anxiety and stress among ethnic minority adolescents and identify relationships between demographic characteristics, behaviours and adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) factors with different mental disorders. MethodsA cross-sectional study was conducted in Lang Son province, Vietnam, among adolescents in boarding schools for ethnic minorities. The Depression-Anxiety-Stress Scale–21 (DASS-21) and the ACEs Questionnaire were used. Information on age, gender, ethnicity, frequency of home visits, frequency of parental visits, number of people living together, quality of friendship, physical activity, and frequency of Internet use was also collected. Multivariate Logistic and Tobit regression were employed. ResultsAmong 845 students, the rates of stress, anxiety and depression were 24.7 %, 54.4 % and 59.0 %, respectively. There were 48.9 % experiencing at least one ACEs, and the mean number of ACEs was 1.1 (SD = 1.8, range = 0–6). The number of ACEs was positively associated with anxiety score (Coef. = 0.28), stress score (Coef. = 0.28), and depression score (Coef. = 0.16). Having fair or poor friendships was positively associated with anxiety, stress and depression scores. Adolescents using the Internet daily or not using the Internet had a significantly lower anxiety score than those using the Internet at the weekend. Finally, information sources such as friends or television were negatively associated with stress and anxiety scores. ConclusionThis study revealed the high prevalence of mental health problems and ACEs among ethnic minority adolescents in current sample. The present study illustrates an immediate demand for interventions to address ACEs and cognitive issues to improve adolescents’ well-being.

Adverse Childhood Experiences and Sleep Disturbances Among Puerto Rican Young Adults

Sleep quality is a known marker of overall health. Studies suggest that adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) are associated with sleep disturbances among children and adults. To examine the association of retrospective and prospective ACEs with sleep quality among a cohort of Puerto Rican young adults from 2 sociocultural contexts. This prospective cohort study used data from the Boricua Youth Study (BYS), a population-based study representing Puerto Rican children from the South Bronx, New York, and Puerto Rico conducted from August 2000 to August 2003. Participants who were 5 to 9 years of age at enrollment in the BYS and who participated in wave 4 of the BYS took part in the Health Assessment (HA) when they were 18 to 29 years of age, from April 2013 to August 2017. Of the eligible 982 participants, 813 (82.8%) participated in the HA. Statistical analysis was conducted from January 2023 to January 2024. Prospective ACEs measured from parent and youth responses and retrospective ACEs measured among young adults using questions from the validated ACE questionnaire from the original ACEs study conducted by Kaiser Permanente and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and published in 1998. Analysis included 8 overlapping items from both questionnaires. Sleep quality was assessed in the HA with the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index. The summary score included 7 components of the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index. The hypothesis was formulated after data collection. Sleep quality information was gathered at the same time as retrospective ACEs in the HA. Of the 813 participants, 438 (53.9%) lived in Puerto Rico as children, 411 (50.6%) identified as female, and the mean (SE) age of participants was 22.9 (0.07) years. After adjusting for sociodemographic factors, retrospective ACEs had a significant association with worse sleep outcomes (β [SE] = 0.29 [0.07]; 95% CI, 0.15-0.44; P < .001). Prospective ACEs did not have a significant association with sleep quality, after adjusting for sociodemographic factors (β [SE] = 0.05 [0.10]; 95% CI, -0.14 to 0.24; P = .59). This study suggests that there is a significant association between retrospective ACEs and sleep quality among Puerto Rican young adults, after adjusting for sociodemographic factors. Prospective ACEs were not significantly associated with sleep disturbances, after adjusting for sociodemographic factors. Addressing ACEs reported in young adulthood may help reduce sleep disorders.

Trends in the dose-response relationship between adverse childhood experiences and maladaptive metacognitive beliefs: A cross-sectional study

BackgroundSince the publication of the major research on adverse childhood experiences (ACE) at the turn of the millennium, our knowledge about the prevalence and physical and mental consequences of childhood adversities has increased substantially. In parallel, research on metacognition, which plays an important role in understanding our mental functioning, has also been on the rise. Although the adverse effects of ACEs on mental processes and the role of metacognitive deficits in the development of mental disorders are widely known, hardly any research into the interaction between these two areas has been conducted; this is what triggered our investigation. MethodsOur research was carried out as a cross-sectional study on a sample of 304 members of the general population. We measured ACEs with the 10-item Adverse Childhood Experiences Questionnaire and maladaptive metacognitions—positive and negative metacognitive beliefs, cognitive confidence, cognitive self-consciousness, and need to control thoughts— using the Meta-Cognitions Questionnaire.The closeness of the relationship between the ACE score and metacognitions was measured using Pearson's linear correlation coefficient, while the association of ACE accumulation with metacognitive beliefs was assessed using generalized linear models. ResultsThe most common ACE in our sample turned out to be emotional neglect (44.74%). All the examined maladaptive metacognitive beliefs correlate mildly to moderately with the number of suffered ACEs (r = 0.13–0.34), with an increase in the ACE score leading to a rise in the salience of maladaptive metacognitive beliefs. Moreover, a dose-response relationship was seen between increases in ACE scores and the overall values of metacognition, negative metacognitive beliefs, and the maladaptive metacognitive belief of the need to control thoughts. ConclusionsOur results suggest that the more ACEs were experienced in childhood, the more pronounced the dysfunctional metacognitive beliefs are. Therefore, our findings emphasize the importance of further research into the topic.

Cross-sectional study on the impact of adverse childhood experiences on coronary flow reserve in male physicians with and without occupational burnout

ObjectivePhysicians face documented challenges to their mental and physical well-being, particularly in the forms of occupational burnout and cardiovascular disease. This study examined the previously under-researched intersection of early life stressors, prolonged occupational stress, and cardiovascular health in physicians. MethodsParticipants were 60 practicing male physicians, 30 with clinical burnout, defined by the Maslach Burnout Inventory, and 30 non-burnout controls. They completed the Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACE) Questionnaire asking about abuse, neglect and household dysfunctions before the age of 18, and the Perceived Stress Scale to rate thoughts and feelings about stress in the past month. Endothelium-independent (adenosine challenge) coronary flow reserve (CFR) and endothelium-dependent CFR (cold pressor test) were assessed by positron emission tomography-computed tomography. The segment stenosis score was determined by coronary computed tomography angiography. ResultsTwenty-six (43%) participants reported at least one ACE and five (8%) reported ≥4 ACEs. A higher ACEs sum score was associated with lower endothelium-independent CFR (r partial (rp) = −0.347, p = .01) and endothelium-dependent CFR (rp = −0.278, p = .04), adjusting for age, body mass index, perceived stress and segment stenosis score. In exploratory analyses, participants with ≥4 ACEs had lower endothelium-independent CFR (rp = −0.419, p = .001) and endothelium-dependent CFR (rp = −0.278, p = .04), than those with <4 ACEs. Endothelium-dependent CFR was higher in physicians with burnout than in controls (rp = 0.277, p = .04). No significant interaction emerged between burnout and ACEs for CFR. ConclusionThe findings suggest an independent association between ACEs and CFR in male physicians and emphasize the nuanced relationship between early life stressors, professional stress, and cardiovascular health.

A Short Adverse Experiences Measure Among Mothers of Young Children.

Screening for parental adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) in pediatric settings can be burdensome because of the questionnaire's length and sensitive nature. Rapid screening tools may help address these challenges. We evaluated a 2-item short ACE measure developed for adults in a cross-sectional sample of mothers of young children in an urban pediatric emergency department. From January 2011 to March 2020, we administered the ACE questionnaire in English or Spanish to 3999 biological mothers of children aged <4 years in a pediatric emergency department in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. We assessed sensitivity and specificity of a shortened 2-item ACE measure defined as report of childhood emotional abuse and/or household substance use, using 4+ ACEs on the full questionnaire as the standard. We assessed convergent validity by comparing associations of the 2-item and standard measures with maternal, household, and child outcomes using adjusted log-binomial regression. Mothers were racially and ethnically diverse (54% Latina, 35% Black non-Latina); 94% of children were publicly insured. Thirteen percent of mothers reported childhood emotional abuse and 16% childhood household substance use; 23% reported at least 1 of these and 6% both. Compared with 4+ ACEs on the full questionnaire, the 2-item measure had sensitivity 88% and specificity 90%. In adjusted models, high adversity was associated with poor maternal, household, and child outcomes. A 2-item ACE measure assessing childhood emotional abuse and household substance use may be useful in pediatric settings to identify mothers who may have experienced significant child adversity and inform development, testing, or provision of comprehensive family supports.

COVID-19 post-traumatic stress disorder: the role of ACEs, alexithymia, and attachment in the Italian population.

The COVID-19 pandemic is considered a collective traumatic event. Several studies have highlighted high levels of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms among the general population during the pandemic. The general aim of this research is to explore the role of adverse childhood experiences (ACEs), alexithymia, and anxiety and avoidance attachment dimensions as risk factors that are making individuals more vulnerable to PTSD-COVID-related symptoms. The COVID-19-PTSD Questionnaire, 20-Item Toronto Alexithymia Scale (TAS-20), Adverse Childhood Experiences Questionnaire, and the Experiences in Close Relationships-Revised Form (ECR-R) were administered to 224 participants who were between 18 and 65 years of age, and residents of Italy. Socio-demographic variables were also collected. The data was collected between October 2021 and March 2022. The findings of the Spearman correlation analysis showed several significant associations between alexithymia, attachment dimensions, and PTSD symptoms related to COVID-19 diagnosis and age. A multivariable logistic regression model was performed using the COVID-19-PTSD total scores over/under the clinical cut-off as dependent variables and age, gender, anxiety and avoidance attachment scores, ACEs, and total alexithymia as independent variables, with alexithymia total score (B = .071; p = .001), ECR-R Anxiety (B = .034; p = .001) and ECR-R Avoidance (B = -.033; p = .024) showing to respectively increase and reduce the possibility of reporting clinical symptomatology. Emotional regulation and attachment have been shown to be risk factors for COVID-19 PTSD symptomatology. Focused intervention programs and emotional education can be useful tools for developing protective factors in the general population.

Covid 19’s Social Quarantine-Moderated Self-Reported Mental Health and Substance Use Among US Adults

In 2019 the novel coronavirus spread quickly throughout the world. It was easily transmitted, resulting in a sudden increase in infection and death rates that overwhelmed hospitals. This sudden pandemic resulted in government and health officials mandating physical and social quarantines to decrease the spread of COVID-19. All these unexpected factors induced traumatic stress across the world. The impact of this trauma is seen to date, as many studies reported adverse mental health effects in an array of populations and researchers speculate these effects will continue long after COVID-19. The role of social quarantine as a moderating factor to these adverse mental health symptoms was assessed in a Qualtrics sample of 596 US adults. Participants completed a demographic survey, Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) Questionnaire, COVID-19 Pandemic Mental Health Questionnaire, Patient Health Questionnaire-9, Generalized Anxiety Disorder Scale-7, International Trauma Questionnaire, Brief Resiliency Scale, and the Tobacco, Alcohol, Prescription Medication and Other Substances Tool. Hierarchical regressions with demographic and risk factors as predictors assessed the role of social quarantine as a moderator in predicting mental health symptoms. ACEs and risk factors were stronger predictors of mental health symptoms, but social quarantine added significant incremental variance in self-reported anxiety, depression, PTSD, complex PTSD, and substance use; β&lt;em&gt; &lt;/em&gt;ranged for 0.24 to 0.30. Quarantine had a significant adverse impact on mental health symptoms among these adults. Fostering resilience and distress tolerance is a proposed clinical intervention.

Intimate Partner Violence Risk Factors: A Vulnerability-Adaptation Stress Model Approach.

Intimate partner violence (IPV) disproportionally affects women. Using the vulnerability-adaptation stress model, we examined adverse childhood experiences (ACEs), self-esteem, and hope as vulnerability indicators and relationship status and length, positive and negative affect, and socioeconomic status (SES) as stressors to ascertain the risk for IPV. Women (N = 491, M = 37.15, standard deviation = 12.51) completed an online survey comprised of the Positive and Negative Affect Scale, Rosenberg's Self-esteem Scale, Snyder's Hope Scale, ACE questionnaire, Composite Abuse Scale Revised-Short Form, and demographic questions. Factor analysis identified four ACE factors of sexual abuse, physical or psychological abuse, witnessing domestic violence, and household dysfunction. A five-step hierarchical multiple regression identified that greater exposure to physical or psychological child abuse was associated with an increased risk of IPV (Step 2), B = 0.73 [0.16, 1.34]. Lower self-esteem, B = -0.30 [-0.47, -0.14] predicted IPV (Step 3). Age B = 0.07 [0.01, 0.13], negative affect, B = 0.39 [0.19, 0.59], and relationship length, B = -1.24 [-2.16, 0.41] were associated with a higher risk of IPV (Step 4). In Step 5, previous variables attenuated to non-significance while age, B = 0.07 [0.01, 0.13], negative affect, B = 0.39 [0.19, 0.59], and relationship length B = -1.25 [-2.16, 0.41] remained significant. While the key findings of this study were inconsistent with some commonly reported findings (e.g., ACEs, self-esteem, hope, relationship status, SES, age), these inconsistencies are important to highlight given the factorial approach to examining ACEs, the comprehensive analyses conducted, and our examination of these variables' direct relationship to IPV. The study was limited by its cross-sectional nature, higher prevalence of IPV victims, and not examining IPV sub-types. Similar studies need to be conducted for other relationship types and victimized individuals (e.g., same-sex relationships and male victims) to provide a complete picture of risk factors for IPV.

Adverse childhood experiences among California student pharmacists.

Adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) are associated with higher mental and physical illness and substance use disorders in adulthood. However, little is known about the prevalence of ACEs among student pharmacists and the factors associated with exposure. Our objective was to determine the prevalence of ACEs, resilience, and maladaptive coping strategies among student pharmacists in California. Student pharmacists from 14 California pharmacy schools completed a 24-item online survey in 2020. This survey instrument comprised the ACEs questionnaire and collected data on the students' demographic characteristics, coping strategies, and resilience. Most respondents were Asian/Pacific Islander (n = 186, 61.0%), female (n = 216, 70.8%), and aged between 25 and 31 years (n = 154, 50.7%). Many (n = 137, 44.9%) students had more than 1 ACE exposure; 66 students (21.6%) had more than 3 ACEs. Many students indicated that they were diagnosed or suspected to be diagnosed with a mental health condition (n = 105, 34.4%) and agreed/strongly agreed that they struggled to manage the workload of pharmacy school (n = 119, 39.9%). Respondents with higher ACE scores (> 3) were more likely to report struggling with managing the workload of pharmacy school, have or suspect having a mental health condition, drink alcohol in the last 12 months, and/or have multiple sexual partners than students with lower ACE scores. More than 1 in 5 student pharmacists in this study were exposed to more than 3 ACEs. The student pharmacists' ACE exposure was associated with higher likelihood of mental health conditions and high-risk health behaviors. Further studies are needed to investigate this topic among student pharmacists.

Prevalence, Levels and Correlates of Intellectual Disability among Adolescents Incarcerated in a Correctional Facility in Kaduna, NorthWestern Nigeria

Background: Adolescents with intellectual disability are disproportionately represented within correctional facilities. Studies have shown that such adolescents are vulnerable to manipulation and influence including coercion into homosexual relationships, as well as to being victims of homicide compared to others. However, there are few studies on intellectual disability among adolescents in correctional facilities in Northern Nigeria. This study thus aimed to assess the prevalence, levels and correlates of intellectual disability among adolescents in a correctional facility in Kaduna, Northwestern Nigeria&#x0D; Materials And Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted among all the adolescents incarcerated at the Borstal Training Institution in Kaduna, North-western Nigeria between March and June 2018 who gave informed consent/assent. Data collection was done using a sociodemographic questionnaire; Raven’s Progressive Matrices (RPM); Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACE) Questionnaire and Perceived parental support questionnaire.&#x0D; Results: The 93 participants aged 13 years to 19 years were all males with a mean age of 17.71 years (SD ±1.19). The majority (88.2%) were below average intellectually while 58.1% were intellectually defective. Participants with below-average IQ had experienced parental death (χ2 = 4.099, p=0.043), had mothers with less than 12 years of education (χ2 = 5.653, p=0.015) and scored lower on perceived combined parental support (t=-4.704, p=0.032), maternal (t=- 4.334, p=0.000) and paternal support (t=-3.506, p=0.001).&#x0D; Conclusions: Intellectual disabilities are prevalent among adolescents in incarceration. There is a need to put in place programs for the identification of such adolescents in our correctional facilities so that programs which minimize the disability while emphasizing the adolescents' strengths can be instituted thus probably reducing their representation in the prison population as well as enhancing the success of rehabilitation back into the society. In addition, identified correlates should be incorporated into targeted prevention strategies for vulnerable adolescents effectively and sustainably to reduce their occurrence.

The Relation Between Adverse Childhood Experiences and Health Behaviors in Adult Women.

This study aims to identify whether adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) influence health lifestyles throughout adulthood and examine how ACEs influence dimensions of health lifestyles. The data was collected cross-sectionally through an online questionnaire. Individuals were invited to participate in an online survey for a larger brain health study as a pre-screening measure. Women in the Midwest between 18-25 and 65-85 who reported either no ACEs or 3 or more ACEs completed the survey, with 233 women answering all questionnaires. Demographic indicators, the 10-item ACEs questionnaire, and the Health Promoting Lifestyle Profile (HPLP-II). Independent sample t-tests revealed significantly lower scores for ACEs group on the HPLP-II and the 6 subcategories (heath responsibility, interpersonal relationships, nutrition, physical activity, spiritual growth, and stress management). A structural equation model using the 3 ACE categories (abuse, neglect, and household dysfunction) and 6 health domains showed substantial differences in the variance captured for each health behavior. Findings indicate that abuse predicts physical activity, stress management, and spiritual growth (β = -.21, -.23, -.20); neglect predicts interpersonal relationships and spiritual growth (β = -.17, -.18); and household dysfunction predicts health responsibility, nutrition, stress management, and interpersonal relations (β = -.20, -.22, -.10, -.17). The present investigation extends research in displaying that ACEs play a significant role in future health behaviors, with household dysfunction being the greatest predictor.

Gender differences in adverse childhood experiences, resilience and internet addiction among Tunisian students: Exploring the mediation effect.

Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) are a common public health issue with a variety of consequences, including behavioral addiction such as Internet Addiction (IA). Despite widespread recognition of this issue, the underlying mechanisms are not well studied in recent literature. Additionally, studies have indicated gender disparities in the prevalence and manifestation of ACEs and IA. The objective of this study was to investigate the mediating effect of resilience on the link between ACEs and IA among high-school students according to gender in Mahdia city (Tunisia). We conducted a cross-sectional survey for two months (January- February 2020), among 2520 schooled youth in Mahdia city (Tunisia). The Arabic-language edition of the World Health Organisation ACE questionnaire was used. The validated Arabic versions of the Adolescent Psychological Resilience Scale and the Internet Addiction Test were the screening tools for resilience and IA. Data were analyzed according to gender. The majority of youth (97.5%) were exposed to at least one ACE with the most prevalent being emotional neglect (83.2%). Exposure to extra-familial ACEs was also high reaching 86.9% with higher rates among boys for all types of social violence. Internet addiction was common among students (50%) with higher prevalence for boys (54.4% vs 47.7%for girls, p = 0.006). Resilience scores were86.43 ± 9.7 for girls vs 85.54 ± 9.79 for boys. The current study showed that resilience mediated the link between ACEs, especially intrafamilial violence, and internet addiction (%mediated = 15.1). According to gender, resilience had a significant mediating role on internet addiction for girls (%mediated = 17) and no significant role for boys. The mediating effect of resilience in the relationship between ACEs and cyberaddiction among schooled adolescents in the region of Mahdia (Tunisia) has been identified.

Relationships between childhood adversity and inflammatory biomarkers in adulthood: A cross-sectional analysis of a middle-to older-aged population

BackgroundExposure to adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) has been linked with increased cardiometabolic risk in adulthood. Low-grade systemic inflammation may underlie this association. Thus far, however, there has been limited investigation of later life inflammatory biomarkers in the context of childhood adversity. ObjectivesTo assess ACE history, and ACE subcategory, relationships with a broad range of inflammatory biomarkers in middle-to older-aged adults to test the hypothesis that ACE exposure is associated with an unfavourable inflammatory profile in adulthood and determine whether associations vary by ACE subtype and sex. MethodsThis study used data from a random sample of 1,839 men and women aged 46–74 years. Participant exposure to ACEs (overall and subtypes including abuse, neglect and household dysfunction) was determined using a validated 10-item ACE questionnaire. Inflammatory biomarkers (pro-inflammatory cytokines, adipocytokines, acute-phase response proteins, white blood cell counts and their constituents, coagulation factors and glycoprotein acetyl) were measured from participant blood samples. Linear regression analyses examined relationships between ACE history (overall and each subcategory) and inflammatory biomarkers in adulthood, controlling for potential confounders. Sex-stratified and mediation analyses were also conducted. ResultsIn age and sex-adjusted models, ACE history was significantly associated with higher c-reactive protein (p = 0.027), resistin (p = 0.024), white blood cell count (WBC) (p = 0.034), monocyte (p = 0.044), eosinophil (p = 0.031) and plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 (p = 0.047) concentrations, and lower adiponectin (p = 0.025) levels. Results from stratified analyses indicated sex differences and ACE subtype specific associations, with household dysfunction identified as the main driver of positive ACE associations with WBCs and constituents (all p < 0.05). Mediation analyses suggested that BMI and smoking mediate relationships between ACE exposures and increased inflammation. ConclusionsThis study provides evidence that ACE exposure may be associated with more pro-inflammatory and pro-thrombotic profiles in adulthood. Associations differed according to ACE subtype, and sex differences exist, which may influence cardiometabolic risk.

Adverse Childhood Experiences, Coping and Resilience in Persons with Alcohol Use Disorder and Their Non-drinking Siblings in High-density Families: A Case-control Study.

Adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) increase the odds of alcohol use disorder (AUD). To study the ACEs, coping, and resilience in persons with AUD and their non-drinking siblings from high-density families. The study used a case-control study design. Using purposive sampling, 135 participants were selected; the sample consists of persons with AUD (n = 45), non-drinking siblings (n = 45), and healthy controls (n = 45), selected from out-patient and in-patient services from a government-run de-addiction centre in Bengaluru. Individuals were administered an ACEs questionnaire, Brief-COPE, and Connor-Davison Resilience scale. Descriptive statistics, Friedman's test, and Bonferroni's post-hoc test, Binary Logistic Regression were used for analysis. ACEs, coping, and resilience significantly differ across the three groups. Persons with AUD and their non-drinking siblings are comparable in terms of ACEs and having dysfunctional family members. Non-drinking siblings and healthy controls have similar coping and resilience. None of the healthy controls had dysfunctional family members. ACEs are more prevalent and more frequent in persons with AUD. Individuals with AUD showed higher avoidant coping and lower resilience than their non-drinking siblings and healthy controls. Early identification of ACEs and interventions to build resilience and coping strategies could prevent individuals from developing AUD in high-density families.

Parent, Friend and Teacher Relationships Buffer against the Effect of Adverse Childhood Experiences and Mental Disorders among Adolescents in Urban Vietnam

ObjectiveThis study aimed to measure how these parent, friend and teacher relationships could mediate the associations between adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) and mental disorders. MethodA cross-sectional study was implemented on students at an urban multi-level school in Hanoi, Vietnam. A total of 1275 students were included in the study. The Depression-Anxiety-Stress Scale-21 items (DASS-21) and Adverse Childhood Experiences Questionnaire (ACE-Q) scales were used. The present study employed structural equation modelling (SEM) to investigate the potential mediation effects of different relationships on the associations between ACEs and mental health. ResultsThe rate of depression, anxiety and stress among students were 44.0 %, 35.6 % and 30.6 %, respectively. Overall, 19.7 % experienced one mental disorder, 15.2 % suffered two disorders and 20.0 % experienced three disorders. Parent-child, friend-friend and student-teacher relationships were determined to partly mediate the connections between ACEs and mental disorders among students. The mediating effects of the parent-child, friend-friend and student-teacher relationships accounted for 13 %, 4.4 % and 5.8 % of the total effect, respectively; and 15 %, 4.6 % and 6.1 % of the direct effect, correspondingly. ConclusionThis study highlighted that receiving good parent-child, friend-friend and student-teacher relationships independently affected adolescents’ mental health, as well as buffered the effect of ACEs on mental disorders.

Access to and perceived unmet need for mental health services and support in a community sample of UK adolescents with and without experience of childhood adversity.

Children and adolescents with a history of adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) are more likely than their peers to develop mental health difficulties, but not enough is known about their help-seeking behaviours and preferences. We aimed to determine whether ACEs are associated with access to and perceived unmet need for mental health services and support amongst secondary school students. We used multi-level logistic regression with data from the 2020 OxWell Student Survey to assess whether ACEs were associated with (1) prior access to mental health support and (2) perceived unmet need for mental health services in a community sample of English secondary school students. We assessed ACEs as a cumulative score from the Center for Youth Wellness Adverse Childhood Experiences Questionnaire: Teen Self-Report version and accounted for current mental health difficulties as measured by the 25-item Revised Children's Anxiety and Depression Scale (RCADS). Our analysis included 2018 students across 64 schools, of whom 29.9% (598/2002) reported prior access to mental health support. Of those not reporting prior access, 34.1% (469/1377) reported a perceived unmet need for services. In the unadjusted models, cumulative ACE scores were significantly positively associated with both prior access to mental health support (odds ratio (OR)=1.36; 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.29-1.43) and perceived unmet need for mental health services (OR=1.47; 95% CI: 1.37-1.59), meaning that students who had experienced adversity had a greater chance of having previously accessed support as well as perceiving an unmet need for services. After adjusting for mental health difficulties and other sociodemographic variables, cumulative ACE scores were positively associated with prior access (adjusted OR (aOR)=1.25; 95% CI: 1.17-1.34 with a significant interaction between RCADS and ACE scores, aOR=0.88; 95% CI: 0.84-0.93) as well as perceived unmet need (aOR=1.32; 95% CI: 1.21-1.43 with a significant interaction between RCADS and ACE scores, aOR=0.85; 95% CI: 0.78-0.91). Although it is encouraging that adolescents with experience of adversity are more likely than their peers with similar levels of depression and anxiety symptoms to have accessed mental health support, there remains a concern that those who have not accessed support are more likely to perceive an as-yet unmet need for it. Mental health support must be available, accessible and acceptable to all who need it, especially for those groups that traditionally have not accessed services, including the more marginalised and vulnerable populations.

Adverse Childhood Experiences and Academic Procrastination in Emerging Adult Students: The Mediating Effect of Self-Regulation

Academic procrastination has been investigated for its relationship with low self-regulation, which is most likely influenced by adverse childhood experiences (ACEs). This quantitative study utilizes a survey and cross-sectional approach to explore the role of self-regulation in mediating the connection between ACEs and academic procrastination in emerging adult students. A convenience sample of 253 Indonesian students (Mage=20.40; SDage=1.518; Nfemale=97.1%) was obtained. The measurements included the Indonesian version of the Adverse Childhood Experiences Questionnaire (ACE-Q), the short version of the Self-Regulation Questionnaire (SSRQ), and the Academic Procrastination Scale. Statistical analysis was conducted using SPSS version 26. Out of all the participants, 74.3% reported experiencing at least one ACE. Although bivariate correlation analysis revealed a relationship between the variables, hypothesis testing through path analysis indicated that ACE did not have a direct effect on academic procrastination (B=0.871, SE=0.576, β=0.080; p 0.05), except when mediated by self-regulation (Sobel Statistic Test results: Z=4.51; p 0.001). This study highlights the importance of understanding the severity of ACEs in addressing poor self-regulation and mitigating academic procrastination among emerging adult students. Future studies may consider examining different types of ACEs, various aspects of self-regulation, and the role of sex.