Adverse Childhood Experiences International Questionnaire Research Articles

Prevalence of adverse childhood experiences and their cumulative impact associated lifetime health outcomes in the Emirate of Abu-Dhabi, United Arab Emirates

BackgroundAdverse Childhood Experiences have been associated with poor health outcomes later in life. ObjectiveThe objective of the study was to determine the relationship between cumulative ACEs, risky health behaviors, chronic diseases, and mental health among a large-scale sample from the Emirate of Abu Dhabi. Participants and settingA retrospective cross-sectional study was performed with 922 participants over the age of 18, living in Abu Dhabi. MethodsThe Adverse Childhood Experiences International Questionnaire (ACE-IQ) was used to assess ACEs, alongside a survey of adult health outcomes, mental health outcomes, and risk-taking behaviors. ResultsLogistic regression models examined the association between retrospective ACEs and these outcomes. The respondents reported an average of 1.74 ACEs. The most prevalent ACEs were household violence, parental death or divorce, and community violence. The accumulation of ACEs significantly predicts increases in the risk of a variety of adult-onset health morbidities, all measured mental health morbidities, and all measured risk-taking behaviors, with evidence of thresholds of ACE accumulation dictating risk. ConclusionsThe baseline presence of ACEs among this Abu Dhabi sample, along with the associated risks of physical and mental health morbidities, and risk-taking behaviors play a significant role in understanding the extent, nature, and associated sequalae of ACEs in this population; providing nuanced context for early intervention. Our findings will inform the planning and implementation of specific prevention and awareness raising programs while promoting safe environments where children are healthy and can thrive.

The transmission of intergenerational trauma and protective factors in survivors of the lebanese civil war and their adult offspring

BackgroundThe aim of the study was to examine the transmission of intergenerational trauma in survivors of the Lebanese civil war and their adult offspring. To examine potential mechanisms, it was hypothesized that the relationship between parental war exposure and offspring psychopathology was statistically mediated by (i) parental psychopathology and (ii) offspring exposure to adverse childhood experiences (ACE). Finally, it was predicted that spirituality and social support might buffer against the effects of adversity and therefore moderate the association between trauma exposure and psychopathology. MethodAn online questionnaire-based study was conducted, recruiting 110 dyads of parents who had lived through the Lebanese civil war and their post-war born adult offspring. Parental war exposure and trauma symptoms [with the Harvard Trauma Questionnaire (HTQ)] and offspring adverse childhood experiences and trauma symptoms [with Adverse Childhood Experiences International Questionnaire (ACE-IQ) and Impact of Events Scale Revised (IES-R)] were assessed. Both parents and offspring’s distress [with Beirut Distress Scale (BDS-10)], depression and anxiety symptoms [with Depression, Anxiety, and Stress Scale (DASS-21)], perceived social support [with Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support (MSPSS)], and perceived spirituality [with Spiritual Well-Being Scale (SWBS)] were measured. ResultsParental war exposure and offspring psychopathology were statistically mediated by parental psychopathology, but not ACE exposure. Offspring of parents with (vs without) high levels of psychopathology had 3.72 times higher odds of reporting high levels of psychopathology themselves. Findings showed that the correlation between trauma exposure and psychopathology was moderated by perceived social support and spirituality. However, the correlation was only significant for higher levels of social support and spirituality. DiscussionThese results suggest that the presence of the proximal risk factor "low social support” may affect psychopathology negatively no matter the amount of adverse experiences consistent with a recency model of adversity. If social support is at least moderate, the distal risk factor “adverse experiences/ war trauma” impacts psychopathology. Overall, these findings highlight the need for trauma-informed mental health support for people fleeing from or residing in countries with ongoing or recent armed conflicts.

Adverse childhood experiences in mental health of young adults: An exploratory study from Delhi-NCR, India.

Despite the growing realization regarding the importance of adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) in adult health outcomes, this area of research has received little scientific attention in low- and middle-income countries, including India. To understand the overall and domain-specific association of exposure to ACEs with current depression, anxiety, stress, and well-being among young adults of Delhi-NCR. This cross-sectional study was carried out among 1,812 young adults (aged 18-25 years) of both sexes (68.7% females). Fieldwork was conducted on the campuses of the University of Delhi, Delhi, and Amity University, Noida, India. ACEs, depression, anxiety, stress, and well-being were screened using the Adverse Childhood Experiences International Questionnaire, Beck Depression Inventory-II, Beck Anxiety Inventory, Perceived Stress Scale, and WHO-5 Well-Being Index, respectively. Exposure to ACEs was found to increase the odds of moderate/severe depression, moderate/severe anxiety, and high stress and decreased the odds of good well-being in a dose-response manner. Being bullied, followed by emotional abuse, was associated with the highest odds of current moderate/severe depression, moderate/severe anxiety, and high stress and the lowest odds of good well-being. Further, while several domains of household dysfunction showed poor association with studied mental health outcomes, domains of abuse and violence were more consistently associated. The present study revealed the detrimental impact of ACEs on mental health outcomes among young adults of Delhi-NCR, India, and underscored the relevance of ACEs in the Indian context. Considering the lack of trauma awareness in Indian societies, there is an urgent need to create widespread awareness regarding ACEs and associated health implications.

Comparison of ACE-IQ and CTQ-SF for child maltreatment assessment: Reliability, prevalence, and risk prediction

BackgroundChild maltreatment has profound effects on mental health. The Childhood Trauma Questionnaire Short Form (CTQ-SF) and the Adverse Childhood Experiences International Questionnaire (ACE-IQ) are commonly used retrospective assessment tools for evaluating child maltreatment. ObjectiveThis study aims to conduct a comprehensive comparison of the CTQ-SF and ACE-IQ, encompassing internal consistency, prevalence, and the predictive efficacy of trauma-related outcomes. It also seeks to enhance the scoring method of ACE-IQ based on the established comparability between the two instruments. Participants and setting1484 college students from northern China were recruited, assessing demographic characteristics and outcomes related to traumatic experiences, including post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), complex post-traumatic stress disorder (CPTSD), borderline personality disorder (BPD), anxiety, and depression. MethodsA contingency correlation analysis was performed to evaluate the degree of agreement between the CTQ-SF and ACE-IQ. Binary logistic regression models were utilized to compare the predictive capabilities of distinct instruments. ResultsCTQ-SF and ACE-IQ instruments display favorable internal consistency and notable correlations across shared categories. However, the predictive relationships between trauma type and adverse outcomes are inconsistent across instruments. The ACE-IQ, encompassing 13 trauma categories, demonstrate a lower AIC and BIC index, indicating a superior model fit for elucidating outcomes. ConclusionThis study introduces a scoring methodology for ACE-IQ, improving the comparability of the two measures and emphasizing the importance of capturing the full range of maltreatment types a child may have experienced. These findings have significant implications for clinical and epidemiological research, providing valuable insights for understanding the impact of child maltreatment.

Association between adverse childhood experiences and perinatal depressive symptoms: a cross-sectional analysis of 16,831 women in Iceland

Emerging data suggest that certain adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) are associated with perinatal depression (PND). However, few studies have comprehensively assessed the cumulative number and types of ACEs and their association to PND. We conducted a cross-sectional analysis among 16,831 female participants from the Stress-And-Gene-Analysis (SAGA) cohort in Iceland, 2018. ACEs were surveyed with the World Health Organization ACE—International questionnaire, while PND symptoms were assessed using the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (lifetime version). We, while adjusting for confounding factors, estimated the prevalence ratio (PR) of PND in relation to total number of ACEs using the Poisson quasi-likelihood model and further performed analyses for type-specific ACEs. At a mean age of 44 years (SD ± 11.1), 6,201 (36.8%) participants had experienced probable PND. Total number of ACEs was positively associated with PND (PR 1.11 per ACE, 95% CI: 1.10–1.11), also among women without any psychiatric comorbidities (PR 1.13, 95% CI: 1.11–1.14). PRs increased in a dose–response manner with the number of ACEs (P for trend < 0.001); women that endorsed 5 or more ACEs were twice as likely to have experienced PND (PR 2.24, 95% CI: 2.09–2.41). All ACE types (n = 13) were associated with PND, with most pronounced association for emotional neglect by a guardian (PR 1.53, 95% CI: 1.47–1.59). Our findings suggest a positive association between number of ACEs and PND symptoms. If our results are confirmed with prospective data, healthcare providers need to be alert of the risk of PND among expecting mothers with history of ACEs.

Prevalence and correlates of suicidal ideation in a sample of urban Haiti residents

There is a dearth of scientific knowledge regarding suicidal ideation (SI) and adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) in Haiti. We conducted a community survey with a convenience sample of 673 residents from Haiti’s Cité Soleil (January - June 2021) to address these gaps. Participants answered questions on SI, on ACEs from the ACE international questionnaire (ACE-IQ) section 5 abuse-related items, on adult experiences of non-partner sexual violence, on use of alcohol to manage stress and on trauma responses. Latent Class Analysis identified a five-class-model of poly-victimization ranging from Class 1 (no abuse) to Class 5 (combination of emotional, physical, and sexual abuse). SI prevalence was 65.3%. Women were nearly twice as likely as men to report SI (95% CI = 1.08–2.74). Class 1 comprised 25% of participants. Class 5 members were almost four times more likely to endorse SI than Class 1 members (95% CI = 1.52–9.10). Class 4 members were roughly four times more likely to endorse SI than Class 1 members. (95% CL = 1.83–7.81). Class 3 members were nearly twice as likely to endorse SI as Class 1 members (95% CI = 1.03–3.35). Participant survivors of NPSV were three times more likely to report SI than non-victims (95% CI = 1.61–5.67). Alcohol use to manage stress increased odds of SI by 1.59 (95% CI = 1.01–2.52). Hypervigilance increased the odds of SI by 3.21 (95% CI = 1.84–5.58). Limitations include recall bias, non-generalizability, use of self-reported data, and ACE-IQ’s limitations. Early identification and prevention of SI, ACE, NPSV, alcohol use, and trauma are warranted.

Maternal adverse childhood experiences and behavioral problems in preschool offspring: the mediation role of parenting styles

BackgroundMaternal history of adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) has been found to be associated with children’s health outcomes. However, the underlying mechanisms were unclear. This study aimed to examine the association between maternal ACEs and behavioral problems in their preschool offspring and to explore the potential mediating role of maternal parenting styles in the association.MethodsA cross-sectional study was conducted involving 4243 mother-child dyads in Chengdu, China. Mothers completed the Adverse Childhood Experiences-International Questionnaire (ACE-IQ) to assess their history of ACEs (i.e., physical abuse, emotional abuse, physical neglect, emotional neglect, witnessing domestic violence, household substance abuse, household mental illness, incarcerated household member, parental separation or divorce, parental death, bullying, and community violence), the short Egna Minnen Beträffande Uppfostran Parent Form (S-EMBU-P) to evaluate their parenting styles (i.e., emotional warmth, rejection, and overprotection), and the 48-item Conners’ Parent Rating Scale (CPRS-48) to measure behavioral problems in their children. Logistic regression models were established to examine the association between cumulative number of maternal ACEs and children’s behavioral problems. The mediating role of parenting styles in this association was explored by generalized structural equation models (GSEM).ResultsOf the participating mothers, 85.8% (n = 3641) reported having experienced at least one type of ACE. Children of mothers with ≥2 ACEs showed a significantly increased risk of behavioral problems across all dimensions, including conduct problems, learning problems, psychosomatic problems, impulsive-hyperactive, anxiety, and hyperactivity index, in both crude and adjusted models (all p-values < 0.05). Dose-response patterns were also observed between the cumulative number of maternal ACEs and children’s behavioral problems. In addition, maternal parenting styles of rejection emerged as a significant mediator, accounting for approximately 8.4–15.0% of the associations.ConclusionsOur findings indicated an intergenerational association of maternal ACEs with behavioral problems in preschool offspring, which was mediated by maternal parenting styles of rejection. Early screening and targeted intervention strategies are critical to mitigate the downstream consequences of maternal ACEs on young children’s outcomes. Providing support and resources to improve parenting skills may prove beneficial.

The 10-item Adverse Childhood Experience International Questionnaire (ACE-IQ-10): psychometric properties of the Dutch version in two clinical samples

ABSTRACT Background: Childhood trauma has been associated with adult mental disorders, physical illness, and early death. The World Health Organization (WHO) supported the development of the Adverse Childhood Experiences International Questionnaire (ACE-IQ) to explore childhood trauma in adults. We report the psychometric properties of the Dutch version of the Adverse Childhood Experiences International Questionnaire 10 items version (ACE-IQ-10) in the Netherlands. Methods: Confirmatory factor analysis was performed in two convenience samples of consecutive patients presenting at an outpatient specialty mental health setting between May 2015 and September 2018: Sample A (N = 298), patients with anxiety and depressive disorders; and sample B (N = 234), patients with Somatic Symptom and Related Disorders (SSRD). Criterion validity of the scales of the ACE-IQ-10 was explored by their correlation with the PHQ-9, the GAD-7, and the SF-36. The correlation between reporting sexual abuse on the ACE-IQ-10 and in a face-to-face interview was assessed as well. Results: We found support for a two-factor structure in both samples: one for directly experiencing childhood abuse and another for household dysfunction, but also support for using the total score. The correlation between reporting a sexual trauma in childhood at face-to-face interview and the sexual abuse item of the ACE-IQ-10 was r = .98 (p < .001). Conclusions: The current study provides evidence on the factor structure, reliability, and validity of the Dutch ACE-IQ-10 in two Dutch clinical samples. It shows clear potential of the ACE-IQ-10 for further research and clinical use. Further studies are needed to assess the ACE-IQ-10 in the Dutch general population.

Adverse childhood experiences, unhealthy lifestyle, and nonsuicidal self-injury: findings from six universities in Shaanxi province, China.

Nonsuicidal self-injury (NSSI) is a serious public health problem. The role of adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) and lifestyle on the risk for NSSI is still underexplored, especially among college students. We aimed to investigate the association of ACEs with the risk of NSSI, and effect modifications by lifestyle among college students. A total of 18,723 college students from six universities were recruited through a multistage, random cluster sampling method in Shaanxi province, China. The Adverse Childhood Experiences International Questionnaire was used to assess ACEs for each participant, and the Chinese version of the Ottawa Self-injury Inventory was used to assess the presence or absence of NSSI behaviors. Information about lifestyle was collected by a self-designed questionnaire. The associations of NSSI with ACEs and lifestyle were analyzed using logistic regression models. Furthermore, we constructed a combination score of multiple lifestyles and evaluated whether lifestyle modified the effect of ACEs on the risk of NSSI. The prevalence of NSSI for the past 1 month, 6 months, and 12 months was 3.8, 5.3, and 6.5%, respectively. 82.6% of participants have reported experiencing at least one type of ACEs, and participants with higher levels of ACEs (≥4) were more likely to have higher odds of developing NSSI during the past 1 month (OR, 4.10; 95%CI, 3.38-4.97), 6 months (OR, 4.76; 95%CI, 4.03-5.62), and 12 months (OR, 5.62; 95%CI, 4.83-6.55), as compared with participants with low levels of ACEs (0-1). There were additive interactions between ACEs and lifestyle. Compared with participants with low levels of ACEs and healthy lifestyle, participants with high levels of ACEs and unhealthy lifestyle had the highest odds of NSSI during the past 1 month (OR, 5.56; 95%CI, 3.80-8.31), 6 months (OR, 6.62; 95%CI, 4.73-9.42), and 12 months (OR, 7.62; 95%CI, 5.59-10.52). These results suggest that ACEs play an important role in the occurrence of NSSI among college students, especially in those with unhealthy lifestyle. Our findings may help develop targeted intervention strategies for the prevention of NSSI.

Psychometric validation of the French version of the adverse childhood experiences international questionnaire (ACE-IQ)

ObjectiveSince Dr. Vincent Felitti conducted his seminal work on adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) in the 1980′s, a large body of literature has emerged concerning the relation between early life adversity and physical and psychological health outcomes in adulthood. The objective of this study was to assess the psychometric properties of the French version of the Adverse Childhood Experiences International Questionnaire (ACE-IQ). A validated translation of the ACE-IQ will facilitate comparing data in French-speaking countries where this tool is used to measure a dose–response relationship between adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) and health decline in adulthood. MethodThe ACE-IQ is a 29-item measure designed to assess exposure to ACEs categorized into three groups: maltreatment (all forms of physical and emotional ill-treatment, sexual abuse, neglect), family dysfunction and violence outside the home. The questionnaire was translated and back-translated according to guidelines and methodology defined by the World Health Organization, 2011 (WHO). A total of 367 participants were recruited to take part in this study. After analyzing descriptive statistics, we assessed the questionnaire’s internal structure using principal component factor analysis. Based on classical test theory we calculated internal consistency and test–retest reliability. We then performed an item response theory (IRT) analysis using a partial credit model (PCM) for polytomous data, which was applied to each of the three dimensions of the ACE-IQ. ResultsTaken together, our results suggest that while the original three-factor structure was not fully supported, the psychometric properties were good. A high degree of overall internal consistency was demonstrated with an alpha coefficient of 0.80. For the three dimensions of the questionnaire Cronbach’s alphas ranged between 0.77 and 0.41. In terms of temporal stability, we observed a good intra-class correlation of 0.79 for the entire questionnaire, with temporal stability for the three dimensions ranging between 0.78 and 0.61. Finally, our IRT analysis revealed discrepancies on certain items for each of the three dimensions, which confirm, and complete findings previously obtained through classical analysis. ConclusionThe French translation of the ACE-IQ has good psychometric properties which make it a reliable and valid measure for assessing ACEs in French-speaking populations, both for research purposes and clinical practice.Further validation will be necessary, however, to account for different cultural characteristics and perspectives between French speaking countries.

The missed pandemic: Intimate partner violence in female mental-health-care-users during the COVID-19 pandemic

ABSTRACT Adverse childhood experiences (ACEs)and interpersonal violence (IPV) in mentally ill women are often neglected andneed to be reviewed in light of the suggested increase in IPV during theCOVID-19 pandemic. We investigated the prevalence ofACEs and IPV in women living with severe mental illness (SMI) attending anoutpatient psychiatry service at a public hospital in KwaZulu-Natal, SouthAfrica, during the COVID-19 pandemic. We also describedthe association of ACEs with later IPV. A written survey comprising socio-demographic and clinical questionnaire, WHO Adverse Childhood ExperiencesInternational Questionnaire (ACE-IQ) for ACEs and the Women abuse screeningtool (WAST) for IPV, was completed by the 154 women with SMI. 141 (91.6%) participants scoredpositive for ACEs and 104 (67.5%) had experienced three or more ACEs. The mostprevalent forms of ACEs were emotionalneglect 72 (46.8%), one or no parents, parental separation, or divorce 104(67.5%), contact sexual abuse 67 (43.5%) and witnessing a household membertreated violently 67 (43.5%). Sixty-one (46.6%) participants reported IPV withscores  13 (indicative of abuse). On logistic regression,experience of three ormore ACEs was significantly associated with IPV in adulthood (aOR 3.3, 95% CI:1.2-9.6). Thehigh prevalence of IPV and association of IPV with cumulative ACEs reflectfirstly the hidden epidemic of domestic violence and secondly the vulnerabilityof those with ACEs to become victims of abuse later which is often  missed in the care of women with SMI.

Type and dose-response effect of adverse childhood experiences in predicting depression: A systematic review and meta-analysis

BackgroundResearchers have documented that adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) are associated with adverse long-term consequences for mental health, including increased risk for depression. However, the type and dose-response effects of ACE on depression risk need further exploration. ObjectiveWe aimed to synthesize the evidence on the relationship between ACEs measured by ACE International Questionnaire (ACE-IQ) and depression in type and quantity. Participants and settingIndividuals with ACEs. MethodsA systematic search was carried out of all published articles, up to November 2022, in eight electronic databases. Fixed- and random-effect models and dose-response were used. ResultsExposure to ACEs, including household dysfunction, was associated with a higher risk of depression (ORs ranged from 1.34 to 3.17). The numbers of ACE acted as a nonlinear predictor of depression. ConclusionsThese analyses provided important evidence that ACEs, regardless of type or quantity, may be a risk factor for depression development. Prevention of ACEs and interventions for supporting those affected by ACEs are necessary.

Adverse childhood experiences and sleep disorders among Tunisian adolescents: The mediating role of internet addiction

BackgroundAdverse childhood experiences (ACEs) are a prevalent health problem worldwide. Different side effects have been linked to this issue such as sleep disorders. This matter is well known. However, its influencing mechanisms are not well investigated in literature. ObjectiveTo investigate the mediating role of internet addiction in the relation between adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) and sleep disorders among a population of high-school students in the region of Gafsa (Tunisia). Participants and settingWe performed a cross-sectional study, in February 2020, including adolescents registered in all secondary schools of Gafsa city. MethodsSleep disorders were evaluated via the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index, internet addiction via the Internet Addiction Test and adverse childhood experiences via the Adverse Childhood Experiences-International Questionnaire. ResultsA total of 414 students were enrolled in our study with a mean age of 17.18 ± 1.5 years. Exposure to intra-familial violence was more reported than social adversities with 99.1 % and 84 % respectively. Males showed higher rates of internet addiction (82.9 % vs 78.3 %, p < 0.001). Sleep disorders were reported in 94 % of students, predominantly among females (95.4 % vs 91 %, p < 0.001).Our results revealed that ACEs predict sleep disturbances through internet addiction (% mediation =18.3 %, p = 0.005). More particularly, an important mediation effect of internet addiction on the relationship between ACEs and sleep disorders was found among females (% mediation =30 %). ConclusionInternet addiction was found to be a mediating factor in the relation between ACEs and sleep disturbances among Gafsa high school students.

Adverse Childhood Experiences and Chronic Diseases: Identifying a Cut-Point for ACE Scores.

Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) contribute to many negative physiological, psychological, and behavioral health consequences. However, a cut-point for adverse childhood experience (ACE) scores, as it pertains to health outcomes, has not been clearly identified. This ambiguity has led to the use of different cut-points to define high scores. The aim of this study is to clarify a cut-point at which ACEs are significantly associated with negative chronic health outcomes. To accomplish this aim, a secondary analysis using data from a cross-sectional study was conducted. The Adverse Childhood Experiences-International Questionnaire (ACE-IQ) was used for data collection. Descriptive statistics, nonparametric regression, and logistic regression analyses were performed on a sample of 10,047 adults. Data from demographic and self-report health measures were included. The results showed that a cut-point of four or more ACEs was significantly associated with increased rates of chronic disease. Participants with at least one chronic disease were almost 3 times more likely (OR = 2.8) to be in the high ACE group. A standardized cut-point for ACE scores will assist in future research examining the impact of high ACEs across cultures to study the effect of childhood experiences on health.

Exploring adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) among Ugandan university students: its associations with academic performance, depression, and suicidal ideations

BackgroundAdverse childhood experiences (ACEs) among university students have been linked to a variety of factors and have been shown to have a dose–response relationship with adult health and behavior.ObjectiveTo investigate the effect of exposure to ACEs on academic performance, depression, and suicidal ideations among university students.MethodsA cross-sectional survey among university students at a public university in southwestern Uganda was conducted in 2021, integrating the Adverse Childhood Experiences International Questionnaire for assessing ACEs, the Patient Health Questionnaire for assessing depression symptoms and suicidal ideations, and questions assessing the family structure and academic performance as adopted from similar studies. Regression analysis was performed, and 3 models were generated to answer the study hypotheses.ResultsA total of 653 undergraduate university students with a mean age of 22.80 (± 3.16) years were recruited. Almost all students (99.8%) experienced one or more ACEs, with physical abuse being the common ACE reported. The average depression symptom severity was statistically higher among individuals who experienced any form of ACEs. No relationship was observed between the ACEs experienced and self-rated academic performance. Similarly, on regression analysis, the cumulative number of ACEs was not associated with self-rated academic performance (β =  − 0.007; 95% CI − 0.031 to 0.016; p = 0.558). However, the cumulative number of ACEs was positively associated with depression symptom severity (β = 0.684; 95% CI 0.531–0.837; p < 0.001), as well as increased the likelihood of suicidal ideations (aOR = 1.264; 95% CI 01.090–1.465; p < 0.001).ConclusionsThe burden of ACEs is exceedingly high among Ugandan university students, highlighting the urgency in strengthening effective child protection strategies to protect Uganda’s rapidly growing population from mental ill-health and avoid future psychological disability, a burden to the healthcare system. The study's findings will also be useful to practitioners/policymakers working to prevent/limit child maltreatment globally.

The relevant research of adverse childhood experiences and “risky drinking” in children of alcoholics in China

ObjectiveTo determine whether adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) of children of alcoholics (COA) in male were associated with their current “risky drinking”.MethodsThis case–control study used the Alcohol Use Disorder Identification Test (AUDIT, cutoff is 7) to divide the participants into two groups, a “risky drinking” group (N = 53) and a "non-risky drinking” group (N = 97). Demographic data, Adverse Childhood Experiences-International Questionnaire (ACE-IQ), the Hamilton Anxiety Rating Scale (HAMA), the Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HAMD) and the Mini-International Neuropsychiatric Interview (MINI) were used for assessment. The specific relationships between ACEs and “risky drinking” were explored.ResultsRespondents ranged in age from 29.70 ± 6.72 years; 74.5% were females; 94.7% were of Han nationality; 56.7% had a level of education above high school; 12% had no formal or stable job. There was difference in attitude to self-drinking between two groups (P < 0.001). The “risky drinking” group was more likely to have experienced a major depressive episode (P < 0.05), nonalcohol psychoactive substance use disorder (P < 0.01) and bulimia nervosa (P < 0.05), and they also experienced more physical abuse (P < 0.05), community violence (P < 0.001) and collective violence (P < 0.01). In a single factor logistic regression, physical abuse, community violence and collective violence were associated with a two to 11- fold increase in “risky drinking” in the adult COA, and in multiple factor logistic regression, community violence showed a graded relationship with “risky drinking”.ConclusionThe childhood adverse experiences contribute to “risky drinking” in COA. This finding in the Chinese context have significant implications for prevention not only in China but in other cultures. There must be greater awareness of the role of ACEs in the perpetuation of alcoholism.

A study of adverse childhood experiences and psychopathology of imprisoned sexual offenders at a central prison, Hyderabad, Telangana

Abstract Introduction: Sexual offense has been defined as sexual contact with another person (including touching of the sexual organs of another) or touching of another person with one’s sexual organs without that person’s consent. Adverse childhood experiences could lead to health problems, behavioral problems, and psychosocial problems like crimes. Aims: The aim is to study adverse childhood experiences and psychopathology of imprisoned sexual offenders. Materials and Methods: A sample of 48 sexual offenders from a central prison and after taking informed consent, a semi-structured intake pro forma was used, followed by that adverse childhood experiences–international questionnaire, Mini-international neuropsychiatric interview-7.0.2 were applied. Results: It was found that the majority of the offenders had experienced adversities in their childhood, the most common being community violence and physical abuse, emotional neglect. Half of the participants had antisocial personality disorder. A statistically significant relationship was found between adverse childhood experiences score and number of offenses committed (P = 0.002). Conclusion: It can be concluded that the presence of adverse childhood experiences could affect physical, mental health in adulthood, and increase crimes.

Adverse Childhood Experiences in Mexico: Prevalence and Association with Sociodemographic Variables and Health Status.

Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) refer to a semantic field of negative childhood events that, in conjunction with insufficient personal, family, or contextual coping resources, have the potential of becoming traumatic. To assess the prevalence of Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) and their association with sociodemographic variables and physical and mental illnesses in a Mexican sample. A cross-sectional design was used. The sample included 917 Mexican adults who responded to the Adverse Childhood Experiences International Questionnaire (ACE-IQ). Most of the participants were female (79.3%) with an average age of 37 years, a monthly income between 500 and 2,500 USD (59.2%), had completed university education (45.6%) and were married or in a common-law marriage (53.1%). Data was collected through Google Forms, and the link to the form was shared through electronic social networks. A total of 48.3% of the participants presented seven to nine types of ACEs. Among their responses, the most prevalent categories were emotional neglect (95.1%), family violence (83.3%), and emotional abuse (78.6%). A significant association was found between the number of ACEs and the mental illness diagnosis (x2(20) = 15.16; p<001). Women were found to report more experiences of sexual abuse (z = -6.62, p<. 001), whereas men reported more experiences of community violence (z= -4.27, p < .001) and collective violence (z = -3.94, p<.001). The prevalence of ACEs in the Mexican population is high. However, men and women reported differences in certain types of ACEs. It was found that people with a diagnosis and family history of mental illnesses presented a higher number of ACE categories.

The prevalence, incidence, and recurrence of intimate partner violence and its association with adverse childhood experiences among pregnant and breastfeeding women living with HIV in Malawi.

Intimate partner violence (IPV) is associated with suboptimal HIV treatment outcomes, but its distribution and risk factors among certain subpopulations of people living with HIV in resource-limited settings are not well known. We examined the prevalence, incidence, and recurrence of IPV and its association with adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) among pregnant/breastfeeding women living with HIV in Malawi. This study used longitudinal data for 455 pregnant women living with HIV continuously enrolled in the VITAL Start trial. IPV was assessed at baseline and months 1, 6, and 12 using the widely validated WHO IPV survey. Forms of IPV assessed were physical IPV, emotional IPV, and sexual IPV measured as prevalence, incidence, and recurrence. ACE histories were assessed using WHO's ACE International Questionnaire (ACE-IQ) tool. Logistic and log-binomial regressions were used in multivariable analyses that controlled for factors such as depression and alcohol use. Participants' mean age was 27.6 ± 5.7 years. Forty-three percent (43%) reported IPV prevalence, 13% reported IPV incidence, and another 13% reported IPV recurrence, with emotional IPV being the most commonly reported IPV type. Over 96% reported experiencing ⩾1 ACE. In regression analysis, cumulative ACE scores were significantly associated with IPV prevalence and IPV recurrence and in both cases, the magnitude of association was greatest for sexual IPV compared with physical IPV and emotional IPV. ACE scores were not significantly associated with IPV incidence. IPV is highly prevalent among pregnant women living with HIV and continues to occur throughout the pregnancy and postpartum period; its graded relationship with ACEs is a concern in resource-limited settings where HIV/AIDS remains a public health concern. Strategies aimed to address the needs of pregnant/breastfeeding women living with HIV may benefit from the regular screening of this population for IPV and ACE, including in antenatal care clinics.

Hubungan Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) Dengan Kecemasan Pada Mahasiswa Program A S1 Keperawatan Universitas Andalas

&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;&lt;em&gt;Background&lt;/em&gt;&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;em&gt;:&lt;/em&gt; &lt;em&gt;Students are one of the groups that are prone to experiencing anxiety psychological problems. Anxiety in students is caused by several factors, one of which is Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs). The purpose of this study was to measure the relationship between Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) and anxiety in the Andalas University A S1 student program. &lt;strong&gt;Methods&lt;/strong&gt;: This research is a quantitative study with a correlational design using a cross sectional approach with a sample of 237 respondents who were selected using stratified random sampling according to the inclusion criteria that have been set. The instruments used in this study were Generalized Anxiety Disorder 7 (GAD-7) and Adverse Childhood Experiences International Questionnaire (ACE-IQ). &lt;strong&gt;Results&lt;/strong&gt;: In the univariate analysis, the mean score of ACEs in Andalas University Nursing A S1 students was 2.47 with the highest mean dominance, namely neglect and the average anxiety score for Andalas University Nursing A S1 students was 8.24. Bivariate analysis in this study used the Pearson Product Moment test. &lt;strong&gt;Conclusion&lt;/strong&gt;: The results showed that there was a significant relationship between Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) and anxiety (p-value = 0.000) which had a positive or one-way correlation (r = 0.235) with a weak correlation strength. It is expected that educational institutions will conduct counseling programs and special interventions to prevent and overcome student problems.&lt;/em&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;em&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/em&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Keywords: &lt;/strong&gt;&lt;em&gt;Adverse childhood experiences, ACEs, Anxiety, Students, Nursing&lt;/em&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;em&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/em&gt;&lt;/p&gt;