Early Childhood Adversity Research Articles

Examining the role of adverse childhood experiences in its association with vindictiveness, emotional awareness, hurt feelings, and self-esteem

BackgroundAdverse childhood experiences (ACEs) play a significant role on emotional and psychological outcomes in adulthood, including vindictiveness, emotional awareness, self-esteem and hurt feeling. This study sought to examine the relationship between early ACEs and their effects on vindictive behavior, emotional awareness, hurt feelings, and self-esteem in adults.MethodA total of 500 university students aged 18 to 47 participated in the study, among these 246 were selected through screening. Initially adverse childhood experiences of participants were screened using a Life Event Scale. Vindictive behavior was assessed using the Vengeance Scale, while Emotional awareness, hurt feelings, and self-esteem were measured through the Trait Emotional Awareness Scale, Hurt Feeling Scale, and Self-Esteem Scale, respectively.ResultsThe findings suggests that individuals who recalled negative childhood experiences were more likely to show vindictive behavior in adulthood. Moreover, the study revealed that this relationship between adverse childhood experiences and vindictive behavior were higher in individuals with low emotional awareness and self-esteem. Furthermore this association become significantly stronger in individuals experiencing heightened level of hurt feelings.ConclusionThe study highlights the significance of early adverse childhood experiences in understanding of vindictive behavior. Furthermore, it emphasizes that low emotional awareness, self-esteem, and the experience of hurt feelings act as mediating factors associated with behavioral patterns.

Childhood Adversity and Telomere Length.

Purpose: Exposure to adversity during childhood and adolescence is associated with numerous health conditions in adulthood; telomere shortening may be a mechanism through which adversity contributes to poor outcomes. We studied three areas of adversity (parent relational instability, child household instability, and financial instability) occurring during three epochs across childhood and adolescence and their associations with telomere length during adolescence. Methods: Data were obtained from the first wave of a longitudinal cohort study of youth aged 11-17 and their primary caregiver. Caregivers completed demographic and adversity questionnaires; youth provided a saliva sample for DNA extraction for telomere analysis. Results: Of 879 youth, over half experienced some adversity. More than one third experienced parent relational instability in each age epoch, with nearly a quarter experiencing parent relational instability in all age epochs. Youth experienced a similar pattern of financial instability but lower rates of child household instability. Youth experiencing parent relational instability at two or three epochs had shorter telomeres compared to those without any parent relational instability (p < .004). Youth who experienced child household instability in two age epochs had shorter telomeres (p = .003) and youth who experienced financial instability across all three epochs had shorter telomeres (p = .013) compared to youth without these adversities. Conclusion: Continuing exposure to adversity in early childhood may be more likely to affect telomere length. Research is needed to further determine adversities exerting the most effect and to understand if early telomere shortening has long term health effects.

Early childhood adversity associated with high-intensity public service use.

Early childhood adversity associated with high-intensity public service use.

EEG background activity, seizure burden and early childhood outcomes in neonatal encephalopathy in Uganda: a prospective feasibility cohort study

Intrapartum-related neonatal encephalopathy (NE) is a leading cause of childhood mortality and morbidity. Continuous electroencephalography (EEG) is gold standard for neonatal brain monitoring; however, low-income country data is lacking. We examined EEG in a Ugandan cohort with NE to describe feasibility, background activity, seizure prevalence and burden, and associations with clinical presentation and outcome. Neonates with NE were recruited from a single hospital referral centre in Kampala, Uganda (Oct 2019-Oct 2020) and underwent EEG monitoring. Feasibility was assessed as to whether EEG monitoring of diagnostic quality could be achieved from days 1-5. Evolution of clinical presentation was assessed by Sarnat classification and daily Thompson score was performed. EEG background severity was graded at 12, 24, 48 and 72h after birth, and at time of Thompson score. Seizures were annotated remotely by experts and assessed for frequency, duration, burden, and status epilepticus. Early childhood outcome was assessed at follow up, and adverse outcome defined as death or neurodevelopmental impairment (NDI) at 18-24 months of age. In this prospective feasibility cohort study, diagnostic quality EEGs were recorded for 50 of 51 recruited neonates (median duration 71.4h, IQR 52.4-72.2), indicating feasibility. Of 39 participants followed to 18-24 months, 13 died and 7 had NDI. Daily Thompson score and EEG background grade were strongly correlated across all timepoints (days 1-5). Thompson score of ≥7 was most predictive of moderate-severe EEG background abnormality (AUC 0.83). Prognostic accuracy of moderate-severe EEG background grade to predict NDI was high (AUC 0.74). Electrographic seizures were seen in 52% (26); median seizure burden was high at 264min (IQR 27.8-523.7, range 1.3-1374.1); half (13) had status epilepticus. EEG monitoring was feasible as a research tool in this sub-Saharan Africa setting. EEG background activity correlated strongly with scored neurological assessment and predicted adverse early childhood outcome. Seizure prevalence and burden, including status epilepticus, were high in this uncooled cohort with important potential longer-term implications for survivors. Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation grant number OPP1210890; Wellcome Trust Innovator award (209325/Z/17/Z).

Challenges and support needs among persons with a migration background who use drugs in four European metropolitan cities

BackgroundPersons who migrate for economic reasons, along with asylum seekers and refugees, face multiple personal experiences and societal inequalities that increase the risk of mental health problems and substance dependency, compounded by intersectional social and economic vulnerabilities. The precarious situation and limited access to care of persons with a migration background who use drugs (PMWUD) in Europe raises concern. Therefore, this qualitative study explores the challenges and support needs of a sample of PMWUD in vulnerable situations living in Amsterdam, Athens, Berlin and Paris.MethodsThis study employed a community-based participatory approach. Through semi-structured interviews with PMWUD (n = 99), we identified (service) needs of a diversity of PMWUD in Europe. Participants were recruited through a combination of community gatekeepers, venue-based sampling, and snowball sampling. Trained community researchers conducted the interviews, which focused on participants’ living situation, substance use, physical and mental health, and employment opportunities.ResultsDespite substantial heterogeneity among the PMWUD, several common themes emerged across all groups. Participants frequently mentioned early childhood adversity, limited social networks leading to loneliness, medical, psychological, and substance use issues, histories of personal violence or poverty, homelessness, lack of necessary documents for health care, social security, and employment, and encounters with the criminal justice system. These intertwined and mutually reinforcing factors simultaneously functioned as barriers to care and support, alongside other barriers such as linguistic and cultural differences, and stigma and discrimination. Due to social exclusion, migration, and substance dependence, participants had limited reliable social networks. Therefore, they often had to rely on accessible and low-threshold services. Harm reduction services played a significant role in providing support to PMWUD. Most PMWUD indicated that basic needs for hygiene and food were met thanks to local organizations. Differences in housing opportunities and access to harm reduction services were identified in each city.ConclusionStructural barriers toward treatment and care, often related to administrative requirements, stand in the way of appropriate care for PMWUD. Linguistically and culturally sensitive outreach activities with limited practical requirements could break down social and treatment barriers.

Long-term effects of adverse childhood experiences on health: A review of key social determinants and intervention strategies

Abstract. The impact of adverse early childhood experiences (ACEs) on an individual's health has far-reaching and long-lasting implications, including a wide range of mental health, psychological well-being and social relationships. This paper uses a literature review approach to explore the long-term impact of adverse experiences on health, analyse the key social determinants involved, and discuss targeted interventions to better protect children's health.ACEs lead to health outcomes that are further exacerbated by social determinants such as socio-economic status, level of parental education, community support systems, and cultural and policy contexts. Effective interventions for adverse health effects require a multilevel and targeted approach, and the current study highlights the urgent need for multisectoral collaboration to evaluate and optimise intervention strategies. This review demonstrates the long-term impact of ACEs on health and highlights the importance of addressing ACEs by analysing social determinants through an evidence-based approach to promote the health and well-being of affected children.

Patterns of early childhood adversity and neighborhood deprivation predict unique challenges in adolescence: A UK birth cohort study.

This study applies a comprehensive bioecological perspective to address a significant gap in the childhood adversity literature by employing latent profile analysis to examine the impact of diverse combinations of early childhood adversities and protective factors on adolescent psychosocial and behavioral outcomes. Drawing from the United Kingdom's Millennium Cohort Study (N = 19,444), we identified eight unique profiles of early childhood adversity and protective factors. These profiles provide a nuanced understanding of adversity combinations and allow for differentiation between groups with similar profiles. Latent profile membership was a significant predictor of all adolescent outcome variables, indicating that profiles differed significantly from one another on psychosocial and behavioral outcomes (Wald values ranged from 10.10-623.22; p < .001). Some findings support the cumulative risk model, indicating that exposure to multiple early adversities increases the likelihood of adverse outcomes. However, we also found that specific adversities, such as parental psychopathology, parental alcohol use, and neighborhood deprivation, uniquely impact adolescent outcomes. This study highlights the necessity for tailored interventions and policies to support children with distinct early life experiences, emphasizing the importance of addressing both cumulative and specific adversities at multiple levels to prevent psychosocial and behavioral problems in adolescence.

Early Childhood Adversity Predicts Risk of Family Caregiver Suicidal Ideation:Roles of Neuroticism and Self-Compassion.

Despite high rates of family caregiver suicidal ideation (SI), little is known about its relationship with childhood adversity. Those with a history of adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) have been shown to have higher neuroticism, lower self-compassion, and higher rates of late life mental health disorders. Caregiving for a family member with dementia may pose a particular challenge for those with ACEs. In a secondary analysis of 81 family caregivers of people living with dementia enrolled in clinical trials, we undertook a cross-sectional baseline analysis of the association between childhood adversity, measured with the ACE questionnaire, and self-reported suicidal ideation (SI). We further assessed whether the relationship between ACE and SI was mediated by neuroticism and self-compassion. 18 caregivers self-reported SI (22%). 89% of caregivers with SI reported childhood adversity (ACE > 0), versus 63% of those without SI (p=.04). The relative risk of SI was 3.6x higher in those with childhood adversity than in those without (p=.04), and for those with a specific history childhood abuse, the relative risk of SI was 3.4x higher (p=.005). Neuroticism and self-compassion mediated the relationship between ACE and SI (p<.05), with neuroticism strengthening the association and self-compassion weakening it. The association of SI with history of childhood adversity is high in family caregivers. Whereas elevated neuroticism might be one mechanism linking ACEs and SI, training self-compassion is a promising target for reducing SI. The phenotypic relationship between childhood adversity and SI in family caregivers should be further explored in larger samples, and could represent a new treatment target to improve the efficacy of therapies on caregiver emotional symptoms.

Using Administrative Data to Identify Factors Associated with Healthy Development After Experiencing Household Challenge Adversity in Early Childhood

This study aimed to identify factors associated with healthy development after experiencing household challenge adversity in early childhood. A cohort of 42,505 children born in Manitoba, Canada was created using linkable health, social, and education administrative data. Children were divided into 5 groups according to whether they experienced adversity between birth and four years of age in the following categories: 1) having a parent diagnosed with a mental health disorder, 2) having a parent diagnosed with a substance use disorder, 3) having a parent who received income assistance for at least 2 months, 4) experiencing at least one of the 3 adversities, and 5) having none of the adversities listed. For each group, multiple linear regression models were computed to determine the association of the independent variables (age, sex, birth order, team parenting, neighbourhood-level socio-economic status, parent high school completion, being an established resident in Canada, not having a major illness, residential stability, program participation, and connectedness to health care services) on child development, represented by their Early Development Instrument scores. In each group, factors associated with healthy development included at minimum: older age, being female, being firstborn, team parenting, higher neighbourhood-level socio-economic status, parent high school completion, being an established resident in Canada, and not having a major illness. Several of these factors are associated with increased access to material resources. As such, policies that facilitate the delivery of resources to lower-income families and neighbourhoods with lower socioeconomic status could translate into improved developmental outcomes for children.

Defining and distinguishing early life stress, trauma, adversity, toxic and chronic stress and allostatic load: a descriptive review.

Various concepts are used to study the impact of stress on childhood development. These concepts are often used inconsistently or interchangeably. Our main objectives were to determine how selected stress concepts (chronic stress, toxic stress, allostatic load, early life stress, childhood adversity, childhood trauma and adverse childhood experiences; ACEs) are defined, operationalized and described, and to provide a theoretical context to aid the choice for a preferred concept in public health research. For this descriptive review, we systematically searched for literature published before 4 August 2021, on PubMed, Embase and PsycInfo. Two independent reviewers included studies. Exclusion criteria were: no systematic review, not peer reviewed, not published in English, selected stress concepts were no predetermined variable or a substantial topic in the discussion, full text was unobtainable or study described non-human or non-childhood populations. Data extraction forms were used. Descriptives were gathered, publication fields were identified through Journal Citation Reports categories, and verbatim descriptions were ordered in text and Venn diagrams. Of 264 screened studies, 124 were included. ACEs, childhood adversity and childhood trauma were used most. ACEs were the main concept used most frequently (47.6%). A total of 11 of 14 public and environmental health journals used ACEs. All concepts refer to prolonged, repeated, interpersonal stress from 0 to 18 years, that can alter physiological systems. Four concepts were stressor oriented, two concepts focused on stress response and effect and one on the state of challenged homeostasis. ACEs seem most fitting for public health setting, due to their operationalizability, large set of core experiences and widespread use.

The Impact of Early Childhood Adversity on Neurodevelopment: A Comprehensive Review

The Impact of Early Childhood Adversity on Neurodevelopment: A Comprehensive Review

The Impact of Adverse Childhood Experiences on Self-esteem of Emerging Adults

This study quantitatively assessed the impact of adverse childhood experiences (ACES) on self-esteem levels in emerging adults, with a particular focus on a cohort of undergraduate students in China. The study drew 50 participants from three different Chinese universities using the modified and translated Rosenberg Self-esteem Scale and the culturally adapted ACE questionnaire. The findings confirm the profound and lasting impact of adversity in early childhood on self-esteem, particularly within the unique sociocultural framework of Chinese society. The study highlights the need for culturally coordinated education and psychological interventions to meet the specific needs of individuals with a history of ACE. Future research directions are suggested, highlighting the need for broader, more representative samples and longitudinal study designs to further elucidate the long-term trajectory of self-esteem development after ACE.

Eating behaviors as pathways from early childhood adversity to adolescent cardiometabolic risk.

To identify specific eating behavior pathways that mediate associations between financial difficulties, negative life events, and maternal depressive symptoms from 0 to 5 years and cardiometabolic risk in adolescence. Hypotheses were tested with data from birth to age 15 years using the Avon Longitudinal Study of Parents and Children, a birth cohort in the United Kingdom (n = 3,887 for current analyses). Mothers reported on financial difficulties, negative life events, and maternal depressive symptoms at multiple points from 0 to 5 years and reported on worry about child overeating at 8 years. Youth self-reported restrained, emotional, and external eating at age 14. Youth completed a cardiometabolic health assessment at age 15 where waist circumference, triglycerides, high-density lipoprotein, and insulin resistance were measured. Longitudinal structural equation modeling with bootstrapping was used to test mediation models. Greater negative life events and maternal depressive symptoms predicted greater parental worry about child overeating at age 8, which directly predicted greater restrained and emotional eating at 14 and cardiometabolic risk at 15. Restrained and emotional eating at 14 directly predicted greater cardiometabolic risk at age 15. Negative life events and maternal depressive symptoms in infancy/early childhood are associated with cardiometabolic risk in adolescence through pathways of parental worry about child overeating in middle childhood and youth-reported restrained and emotional eating in adolescence. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2024 APA, all rights reserved).

Is trauma research neglecting neurodiverse populations? A systematic review and meta-analysis of the prevalence ACEs in adults with autistic traits

PurposeThe prevalence of exposure to adversity is elevated in autistic populations, compared to neurotypical peers. Despite this, the frequency and nature of early adverse experiences are not well understood in autistic adults, with several underlying methodological limitations in the available literature. The purpose of this study is to systematically synthesise and analyse the prevalence of childhood adversity in this marginalised population, in accordance with the adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) framework.Design/methodology/approachPeer-reviewed empirical research articles were systematically searched for from electronic databases and screened against established inclusion criteria. Pooled prevalence rates for individual ACE types were calculated.FindingsFour papers were included (N = 732), all of which used a predominantly or exclusively female sample. Only sexual abuse was reported in all papers, with a pooled prevalence rate of 38%. Physical abuse and emotional abuse were less frequently explored, with two papers reporting on these ACEs, though obtained comparable and higher pooled prevalence rates (39% and 49%, respectively). Pooled prevalence rates could be calculated for neither neglect nor “household” ACEs because of insufficient data. The limited state of the evidence, in conjunction with high levels of heterogeneity and poor sample representativeness found, positions the ACEs of autistic adults as a critical research priority.Originality/valueTo the best of the authors’ knowledge, this study is the first to systematically synthesise the prevalence of early childhood adversities, as conceptualised in accordance with the ACEs framework, in adults with autistic traits.

Adverse childhood experiences and insecure attachment: The indirect effects of dissociation and emotion regulation difficulties.

Difficulties with dissociation and emotion regulation are well-documented reactions to early adverse childhood experiences (ACEs). Although findings identify dissociation and emotion dysregulation as explaining the relationship between various forms of ACEs and adult psychopathology, less is known about their combined effect in the relationship between ACEs and insecure attachment in adulthood. This study examined the indirect effects of dissociation and emotion regulation difficulties in the relationship between early adverse experiences and insecure attachment traits. Participants (N = 260) completed an online questionnaire measuring ACEs, dissociation, emotion regulation difficulties, and anxious and avoidant attachment. Results indicated that, after controlling for mental health treatment, dissociation and emotion regulation difficulties explained the relationship between ACEs and insecure (anxious and avoidant) attachment. Emotion regulation difficulties were not a significant predictor of avoidant attachment. Findings provide support for greater research on mediating factors in the maintenance of insecure attachment across development and potential implications of dissociation and emotion regulation in clinical and nonclinical populations. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2023 APA, all rights reserved).

Mediating Effects of Psychological Resilience and Self-esteem on the Association Between Early Childhood Adversity and Depressive Symptoms Among Adolescents in Nigeria

Mediating Effects of Psychological Resilience and Self-esteem on the Association Between Early Childhood Adversity and Depressive Symptoms Among Adolescents in Nigeria

Exploring stress response's role in executive function impairments among adults with early adverse childhood experiences.

Adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) are recognised as precursors to numerous physical and mental health challenges. However, research on their impact on inhibitory control and working memory, particularly among healthy young adults, remains limited. The role played by the stress response as a moderator in these effects is likewise underexplored. Our study addresses this gap by examining cognitive impairments in non-clinical adults with early childhood trauma, specifically trauma before the age of 13 years, and by assessing the influence of the stress response on these effects. A total of 15 participants with early ACEs were compared with a control group (n = 18) using the Corsi Block Tapping Test (CBTT) and Stroop Word Colour Test (SCWT). Results showed that participants with early ACEs exhibited lower scores on the SCWT but not the CBTT. The stress response emerged as a potential factor in the relationship between early ACEs and cognitive performance. The implications of these findings are then discussed in relation to the existing literature.

Embers of the Past: Early Childhood Traumas Interact with Variation in P2RX7 Gene Implicated in Neuroinflammation on Markers of Current Suicide Risk.

Both early childhood traumatic experiences and current stress increase the risk of suicidal behaviour, in which immune activation might play a role. Previous research suggests an association between mood disorders and P2RX7 gene encoding P2X7 receptors, which stimulate neuroinflammation. We investigated the effect of P2RX7 variation in interaction with early childhood adversities and traumas and recent stressors on lifetime suicide attempts and current suicide risk markers. Overall, 1644 participants completed questionnaires assessing childhood adversities, recent negative life events, and provided information about previous suicide attempts and current suicide risk-related markers, including thoughts of ending their life, death, and hopelessness. Subjects were genotyped for 681 SNPs in the P2RX7 gene, 335 of which passed quality control and were entered into logistic and linear regression models, followed by a clumping procedure to identify clumps of SNPs with a significant main and interaction effect. We identified two significant clumps with a main effect on current suicidal ideation with top SNPs rs641940 and rs1653613. In interaction with childhood trauma, we identified a clump with top SNP psy_rs11615992 and another clump on hopelessness containing rs78473339 as index SNP. Our results suggest that P2RX7 variation may mediate the effect of early childhood adversities and traumas on later emergence of suicide risk.

Perinatal and early life risk factors of adverse early childhood developmental outcomes: Protocol for systematic review using socioecological model.

Adverse early childhood developmental outcomes impact later schooling and adulthood life courses. However, there needs to be more comprehensive evidence on the effect of various perinatal and early life risk exposures. Hence, we aimed to systematically identify the various perinatal and early childhood risk factors using a socioecological model to inform appropriate prevention strategies. The systematic review will adhere to the 2020 PRISMA guidelines. The protocol was registered in PROSPERO with a registration number of CRD42023447352. We will systematically search for articles on adverse early childhood developmental outcomes, which include physical, cognitive, language and communication and social-emotional development from main databases, such as EMBASE, Medline, Global Health, PsycINFO, CINAHL and Web of Science Core Collection, dating from 2000. We will use Population, Exposure, Comparator, Outcome and Study Design (PECOS) criteria to select eligible studies for our review: 1) Population includes children in early childhood age (i.e., up to eight years) undergoing developmental assessments. 2) Exposure: various perinatal and early life risk factors. 3) Comparators: Children with no or low levels of exposure to the risk factors. 4) Outcome: adverse early childhood developmental outcome. 5) Study design: all observational studies that report the prevalence or incidence of adverse early childhood developmental outcomes and associated risk factors published since 2000. There will be no restriction based on country of origin or geographical location except language (only published in English). Textual and narrative synthesis using the socioecological model will be used to synthesise the data.

Exploratory study evaluating the relationships between perinatal adversity, oxidative stress, and infant neurodevelopment across the first year of life.

Early childhood adversity increases risk for negative lifelong impacts on health and wellbeing. Identifying the risk factors and the associated biological adaptations early in life is critical to develop scalable early screening tools and interventions. Currently, there are limited, reliable early childhood adversity measures that can be deployed prospectively, at scale, to assess risk in pediatric settings. The goal of this two-site longitudinal study was to determine if the gold standard measure of oxidative stress, F2-Isoprostanes, is potentially a reliable measure of a physiological response to adversity of the infant and mother. The study evaluated the independent relationships between F2-Isoprostanes, perinatal adversity and infant neurocognitive development. The study included mother-infant dyads born >36 weeks' gestation. Maternal demographic information and mental health assessments were utilized to generate a perinatal cumulative risk score. Infants' development was assessed at 6 and 12 months and both mothers and infants were assayed for F2-isoprostane levels in blood and urine, respectively. Statistical analysis revealed that cumulative risk scores correlated with higher maternal (p = 0.01) and infant (p = 0.05) F2-isoprostane levels at 6 months. Infant F2-isoprostane measures at 2 months were negatively associated with Mullen Scales of Early Learning Composite scores at 12 months (p = 0.04). Lastly, higher cumulative risk scores predicted higher average maternal F2-isoprostane levels across the 1-year study time period (p = 0.04). The relationship between perinatal cumulative risk scores and higher maternal and infant F2-isoprostanes at 6 months may reflect an oxidative stress status that informs a sensitive period in which a biomarker can be utilized prospectively to reveal the physiological impact of early adversity.