Childhood Experiences Research Articles

Population Attributable Fractions of Adolescent Health and Well-being Outcomes Associated with Adverse Childhood Experiences in a Provincially Representative Sample in Ontario, Canada

BackgroundIt is well known that Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) are associated with poor health and well-being outcomes among adult samples. However, there are notable gaps in examining these relationships among youth. ObjectiveThe objectives were to examine: a) the prevalence of an expanded list of ACEs among adolescents, b) ACEs sex differences, c) associations between ACEs and several adolescent health and at-risk behavioural outcomes, and d) the population attributable fractions (PAFs) for three ACE groupings (i.e., child maltreatment, household challenges, and peer victimization). Study DesignCross-sectional. Participants and SettingData were from the provincially-representative, cross-sectional 2014 Ontario Child Health Study (N = 6,537 dwellings, response rate = 50.8%). One randomly selected child aged 14 to 17 years old (n = 2,910) from each household was included. MethodsThe majority of measures (nine ACEs and six health and well-being outcomes) were self-reported (three household challenges ACEs and physical health were collected from parents/caregivers). Descriptive statistics estimated the prevalence of ACEs for the sample and by sex. Logistic regressions tested associations between individual ACEs and seven outcomes. Population attributable fractions (PAFs) were computed for three ACE groupings with each outcome. FindingsACEs prevalence ranged from 1.8% to 47.4% with several noted sex differences. Each ACE was associated with four or more studied outcomes. PAFs ranged from 3.5% to 47.8%, varying for each ACEs grouping. ConclusionThe significant associations and estimated proportions of poor adolescent outcomes attributed to ACEs indicate that identifying approaches aimed at preventing these experiences could have a substantial impact on youth health and well-being.

Paternal adverse childhood experiences are associated with a low risk of atopy in the offspring.

Parental adverse childhood experiences (ACE) might affect the offspring health through intergenerational inheritance. The aim of this study was to investigate how paternal ACE associate with offspring sensitisation and allergic rhinitis (AR). The study included 590 Finnish father-child dyads from the FinnBrain Birth Cohort Study. Outcomes were offspring sensitisation against allergens and AR at age 5.5 years. Paternal ACE up to 18 years were assessed using the Trauma and Distress Scale (TADS) with the lowest quarter as the reference group. Of the children, 317 (54%) were males. Sensitisation occurred in 162/533 (30%) and AR in 122/590 (21%). Paternal TADS (median 17 points; interquartile range 11-27) was inversely associated with the risk of sensitisation. Children whose fathers scored the highest quarter had the lowest risk of sensitisation (adjusted odds ratio 0.42; 95% confidence interval 0.24-0.75), followed by those in the second highest quarter (0.58; 0.34-0.99). The association between the highest quarter and reduced risk of AR was similar. Paternal ACE were associated with a low risk of offspring sensitisation and AR, suggesting paternal childhood stress might influence immune responses in their offspring.

Adverse Childhood Experiences and Insufficient Sleep

Adverse Childhood Experiences and Insufficient Sleep

Implementing a Trauma-Informed Approach in Undergraduate Nursing Student Clinical Education: Strategies for Clinical Nurse Educators

AimTo discuss strategies for clinical nurse educators to integrate a trauma-informed approach while supporting undergraduate nursing students’ learning in the clinical environment. BackgroundUndergraduate nursing students’ risk of exposure to clinical related critical incidents coupled with their higher rates of personal traumas such as adverse childhood experiences, adds to the complexity of experiential learning. Clinical related critical incidents may compromise nursing students’ academic abilities and their well-being. The implications of clinical related critical incidents may extend to future nurse retention and recruitment as students question the perception of the profession’s identity. The cumulative effect from trauma may impact nursing students’ mental health making them vulnerable to trauma-related symptoms and disorders. DesignA discussion paper is used to support the application of a trauma-informed approach throughout clinical learning experiences. MethodWith relevant literature, a trauma-informed approach is emphasized for developing and maintaining safe environments that foster learning and optimize the health and well-being of nursing students. ResultsThe key assumptions and principles of a trauma-informed approach as outlined by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration underpinned the proposed strategies that clinical nurse educators may use while preparing for clinical, during and after experiences. ConclusionA trauma-informed approach may encourage undergraduate nursing students to adopt key tenets into their future clinical practices so they can effectively support patients, families and their colleagues.

A life course perspective on parental incarceration and other forms of childhood adversity

Prior research on childhood adversity has revealed that exposure to multiple adverse childhood experiences (ACE) is relatively common, and that failure to consider these experiences in tandem may misattribute their effects to a single adversity. Yet attempts to isolate the effects of a given ACE are quite common, particularly in the burgeoning body of research on parental incarceration. Guided by recent theorizing in the parental incarceration effects tradition, and key insights from prior work on ACEs, the current investigation situated parental incarceration within broader contexts of childhood adversity. Using data from the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent to Adult Health (Add Health), we drew on person-centered analyses to consider associations between different constellations of risk, well-being, and other important life course considerations. Additionally, we centered the experience of parental incarceration to explore its prevalence across the different constellations identified and to examine its independent and interactive effects on problematic behavioral outcomes and successful adult transitions. Our findings revealed that 1) ACEs tend to cluster, 2) certain constellations may pose greater developmental risks, and 3) the effect of parental incarceration may depend, in part, on the unique set of ecological risks to which children are exposed.

Associations of sleep quality with war-related anxiety, childhood stressors, and war-related stressors in a sample of adult Israeli civilians during the Hamas-Israel war

The current study examined the sleep quality of Israeli adults following the onset of the Hamas-Israel war, and the associations of reduced sleep quality with the magnitude of war-related anxiety and exposure to adverse war-related events. We also examined whether exposure to stressors during childhood predicts a greater war-related reduction in sleep quality. 536 Israeli adults (mean age 31.4, 209 women) completed an online survey in January 2024, three months into the war. The survey included questionnaires assessing retrospectively childhood harshness (exposure to morbidity and mortality and low socioeconomic status), adverse childhood experiences, and childhood unpredictability. War anxiety was assessed via the war anxiety scale. The participants also completed the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index and the Insomnia Severity Index concerning two time points: (a) retrospectively, before the war, and (b) currently, during the war. Participants reported reduced sleep quality and increased symptoms of insomnia during the war. The magnitude of these changes was predicted by exposure to adverse war experiences both directly and indirectly through war-related anxiety. Poorer sleep quality and increased symptoms of insomnia were also indirectly predicted by childhood exposure to morbidity-mortality of close others and childhood unpredictability through greater war-related anxiety. Thus, exposure to the adverse experiences of war, as well as harsh and unpredictable childhoods, could hinder sleep quality during wartime, with these effects mediated by war-related anxiety.

Associations and mediating factors between adverse childhood experiences and substance use behaviours in early adulthood: A population-based longitudinal study

BackgroundResearch has demonstrated positive associations between adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) and substance use behaviours in young adults. However, many of these are based on cross-sectional data. The pathway between ACEs and substance misuse among emerging adults is also not fully understood and few studies have investigated potential mediating factors. MethodsWe analysed data from the Child Cohort of the Growing Up in Ireland study, a nationally representative longitudinal sample of children recruited at 9 years of age (n = 4,729). Logistic regression was used to examine individual and cumulative ACE exposure relationships with substance use at age 20 years. Mediation analyses were used to assess whether parental and peer relationships and school engagement mediate ACE history associations with substance use behaviours. ResultsACE exposure relationships with current cannabis use, other illicit drug use and problematic drug use were observed. In particular, young adults who had experienced 2 ACEs or 3 + ACEs had an approximate two-fold (OR=1.80, 95 % CI: 1.29, 2.51) and approximate three-fold (OR=2.94, 95 % CI: 2.06, 4.19) increased odds of problematic drug use, respectively, when compared to participants who had experienced no ACEs during the study period. Mediation analyses suggested that parent and peer attachment and liking school partially mediate relationships between ACEs and substance use behaviours. ConclusionsChildren who have experienced ACEs are at higher risk of future substance use and problematic drug use. In supporting these children, identified mediators such as interpersonal relationships and school engagement may help guide selection of prevention interventions.

Association Between Adverse Childhood Experiences and Cognitive Decline

Abstract We aim to study Adverse childhood experiences' (ACEs') association with cognitive decline during adulthood. We reviewed data on subjective cognitive decline (SCD) for those ≥45 years of age. Logistic regression analysis, odds ratio, and 95% confidence interval (CI) assessed the association between ACEs and SCD. We analyzed an adult survey (N = 3900, mean age: 60.9 years, male: 46%). The most common ACE reported was household substance abuse (22.4%), followed by parental divorce/separation (20.9%). The prevalence of SCD in those having at least one ACE was higher than those without any (16.5% vs. 8.1%, p < 0.001). SCD positively correlated with the number of ACEs (p < 0.001). The odds of SCD increase in proportion to the increase in the number of ACEs experienced. These findings should be replicated in a larger population while controlling for confounding factors.

Association between adverse childhood experiences and the risk of developing chronic headache in Chinese individuals: a RCSCD-TCM study in China evidence from a national survey

BackgroundChronic headache (CH) is a widespread problem in clinical practice. The causes of the disease are very complex and varied, including organic, functional and even psychogenic causes. Adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) are related to several psychogenic neurological disorders. However, whether the number of ACEs is associated with the risk of developing CH has not been well established. Therefore, in this study, we aimed to identify the association between the number of ACEs and the risk of developing CH in the general population using a Chinese national survey.MethodsParticipants who reported experiencing headache in two consecutive waves of investigation from the China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study (CHARLS) were defined as having CH and were included in this study. The life history information of the participants was then matched. Twelve types of ACEs were identified from the life history information. The participants were divided into four classes according to the number of ACEs. The association between the number of ACEs and the risk of developing CH was analysed using logistic regression.ResultsA total of 654 (14.77%) of 4427 participants were defined as CH within 9 years of the survey. After adjusting for various confounding factors, compared to that associated with Class 1 (ACEs = 0), the OR for CH associated with Class 3 (ACEs = 2) was 1.68 (95% CI: 1.30–2.19), P < 0.001 and the OR for CH associated with Class 4 (ACEs > 2) was 2.62 (95% CI:2.04–3.38),P < 0.001. Further analysis of different types of ACEs demonstrated that physical abuse, household mental illness and five other types of ACEs were associated with the risk of developing CH.ConclusionsExposure to ACEs was associated with a greater risk of developing CH, indicating the importance of early intervention for individuals with ACEs to mitigate the detrimental impact of ACEs on CH and to promote health.

Double Trouble: Metabolic Dysfunction-Associated Fatty Liver Disease in Fraternal Twins

Pediatric cases of metabolic dysfunction-associated fatty liver disease (MASLD, formerly termed non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) are a troubling new outcome of the pediatric obesity epidemic. Advising patients and families with this condition is challenging considering the nutrition needed to sustain developmentally appropriate growth in youth. Describing risk factors, comorbidities, management, and referrals for MASLD could improve surveillance and outcomes for this condition. MASLD is commonly seen with other comorbidities such as dyslipidemia, obstructive sleep apnea, type 2 diabetes, hypothyroidism, anxiety, and depression. Considerations of epigenetics, diabetes, and adverse childhood experiences will be explored as additional underlying contributors to MASLD. Screening patients for this condition in conjunction with other comorbidities is essential to preventing the progression to non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) and cirrhosis, as well as lowering the risk for hepatocellular carcinoma. This fraternal twin case report describes pertinent diagnostics, recommendations for referrals, follow-up consultations, and red flags for more advanced liver disease.

Risk factors for abusive head trauma in the pediatric population.

Abusive head trauma (AHT) is the leading cause of death from physical child abuse in children younger than 5 years of age in the United States. The mortality rate among patients with AHT is 25%, and the recurrence rate of child abuse rises to 35% when there is a lack of intervention. Thus, identifying child abuse is crucial yet especially challenging for infants and toddlers as they are preverbal. Current guidelines for child abuse do not sufficiently address the specific needs of a younger population. This study aimed to evaluate clinical factors associated with abuse among such populations. The National Trauma Data Bank was queried from 2017 to 2019 for patients younger than 3 years with acute head trauma. Patients who were suspected of having experienced child abuse (suspected child abuse [SCA] group) were propensity score matched with patients who were not suspected of having experienced child abuse (non-SCA group) based on demographics, comorbidities, and Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) scores. Paired Student t-test and chi-square tests were used to compare differences in hospital outcomes between the two groups. Multivariable regression analysis was used to determine factors associated with SCA (p < 0.05). The authors identified 10,844 patients in the SCA group and 27,912 in the non-SCA group. Regression analysis results showed that patients in the SCA group had higher rates of prematurity (OR 2.30, p < 0.001), GCS scores < 13 (OR 1.79, p < 0.001), congenital disorders (OR 1.56, p < 0.001), and public insurance use (68.38% vs 52.88% p < 0.001). Black and Hispanic patients were more likely to be in the SCA group (OR 1.56, p < 0.001 and OR 1.35, p < 0.001, respectively). Following propensity score matching, SCA patients had a longer length of hospital stay (3.17 vs 1.34 days, p < 0.001) and higher mortality rate (4.89% vs 3.58%, p < 0.001). Acute head injuries in the SCA group were associated with prematurity, congenital disorder, low GCS score, and public insurance use. As such, the current guidelines should implement clinical history and insurance type to better reflect the at-risk patient population when evaluating infants and toddlers for potential abuse. There could be overidentification of child abuse among Black and Hispanic patients, and further research is warranted.

아동기 대인 간 외상경험이 성인의 외상 후 성장에 미치는 영향

Objectives This study was to determine the effect of interpersonal trauma experience in childhood on post-traumatic growth in adults. Methods 266 adult men and women aged 20 to 59 in Korea were surveyed and analyzed through an Internet questionnaire. The research tool was the Korean version of childhood trauma. It was a questionnaire (Eun-jung Kim, Jin-sook Kim, 2010) and a post-traumatic growth scale (Si-hyung Kim et al., 2020). For the data, skewness and kurtosis were analyzed using the SPSS 22.0 statistical program to confirm whether the assumption of normality was satisfied, and correlation analysis and t-test for differences between major variables, One-way analysis of variance and hierarchical regression analysis were performed. Results First, as a result of verifying the difference in post-traumatic growth according to the background variable, men were significantly higher than women in all post-traumatic growth according to gender. According to marital status, married people were significantly higher than unmarried. Depending on the age, those in their 50s were significantly higher than those in their 40s, 30s, and 20s. In addition, the difference in overall post-traumatic growth was significant according to the type of interpersonal trauma experience in childhood, sexual abuse, physical abuse, neglect, double abuse, and emotional abuse appeared in order. In addition, there was no difference in the factors of trauma perpetrator between trauma period, caregiver, and childhood interpersonal relations. Second, as a result of the correlation analysis of the main variables, it was found that there was no significant correlation between the entire childhood trauma and the entire post-traumatic growth. However, among the sub-factors, emotional neglect and post-traumatic growth were negatively correlated, and sexual abuse and physical abuse were positively correlated with post-traumatic growth. In other words, the higher the emotional neglect, the lower the post-traumatic growth, and the higher the sexual and physical abuse, the higher the post-traumatic growth. Third, it was found that interpersonal trauma experience in childhood had a significant effect on post-traumatic growth. Emotional abuse during childhood trauma was static and emotional neglect was negative. It was found to have an effect. In other words, the higher the emotional abuse among childhood trauma experiences, the more post-traumatic growth. It can be interpreted that the higher the emotional neglect, the lower the likelihood of post-traumatic growth. Conclusions The results suggest that lowering emotional neglect is effective to increase post-traumatic growth.

Adult Mental Health Associated with Adverse and Positive Childhood Experiences Among 1st and 2nd Generation Asian Americans.

Adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) and positive childhood experiences (PCEs) impact adult health. However, differences in ACEs, PCEs, and mental health have not been extensively studied among Asian Americans. To examine the association between childhood experiences and adult mental health in first and second generation Asian Americans. This study used data from the 2021-2022 California Health Interview Survey (CHIS), an address-based sampling of noninstitutionalized Californians conducted online or by phone. Asian American respondents aged 18-65 years. Fifteen different ACEs and seven different PCEs. Adjusted prevalence ratios (aPR) of severe psychological distress for each generation. Survey weights were applied to all analyses for population-based representation. 5,744 Asian Americans (48.0% male, 16.4% aged 18-25) were included in the current study. We found that second generation Asian Americans experienced a greater prevalence of ACEs (65.4% reported ≥1 ACE vs 47.5% in first generation Asian Americans) and lower prevalence of PCEs (32.1% reported ≤2 PCEs vs 22.6% in first generation Asian Americans). Second generation Asian Americans were more likely to report ≥4 ACEs (aPR, 1.46; 95% CI, 1.13 to 1.88) and ≤2 PCEs (aPR, 1.51; 95% CI, 1.29 to 1.78) relative to first generation Asian Americans. Second generation Asian Americans with ≥4 ACEs or ≤2 PCEs were more likely to report severe psychological distress (aPR, 2.54; 95% CI, 1.55 to 4.17 and aPR, 1.48; 95% CI, 1.03 to 2.13, respectively) relative to first generation Asian Americans. When examining ACEs and PCEs individually, domestic, physical, and verbal abuse; divorce; racism; and lacking support systems were significantly associated with severe psychological distress in second generation Asian Americans. Second generation Asian Americans are more likely to experience more ACEs, fewer PCEs, and poorer mental health as a result. Our study indicates that physicians should screen for childhood experiences and leverage trauma-informed care among Asian American subpopulations.

자연생태 기반 STEAM 교육에서 유아가 경험한 행복의 의미

Objectives The purpose of this study is to examine the experiences of infants through natural ecology-based STEAM education using narrative inquiry, and to understand the meaning of happiness experienced by infants through natural ecology-based STEAM education. Methods A total of six children from 3-year-old K class at G daycare center located in I city, and three children and three girls were selected as participants in the study. Data collection will be conducted 30 times for 9 weeks from August 1, 2022 to September 30, 2022, before the interview on July 29, and after the interview on February 10, 2023 Field texts (interviews, field notes, research journals, observation data, memory boxes) were collected by data methods. Data analysis was Clandinin in accordance with the procedures of narrative exploration through participatory observation, a qualitative research method, from September 30, 2022 to October 30, 2023 &amp; Connelly's five steps were analyzed in consideration of the narrative inquiry research procedure and the three-di-mensional inquiry space. Results Children's experiences in natural ecology-based STEAM education include ‘we (time) at a certain point’ and ‘me and you, I'll hit.’, ‘It appeared as a story (sociality)’ and ‘a place (place) where you’ and ‘I faced each other’, and it was experienced by young children through natural ecology-based STEAM education. The meaning of hap-piness was ‘Lalala heart! (positive/emotional)’, ‘one cross! (immersive/achievement)’, and ‘We fell in love! (relationship/meaning)’. Conclusions Based on the results of this study, we propose the development of STEAM education based on the natural ecology of infants and how the meaning of happiness experienced by infants in STEAM education should be fused with the 2019 revised Nuri curriculum and the center of play.

Essential Attributes to Stimulate 21st Century Skills amongst Children Learning in Pre-war Schools

Globally, new schools are built according to users' needs and are comparable with the newest pedagogical approach. The efforts, however, raised concern about the affordance of existing school buildings and whether the users are experiencing the present educational transformation. This study, therefore, aims to examine factors that qualify a school to provide twenty-first-century learning, specifically pre-war school buildings in Scotland. Through a focus group design charrette, this study obtained forty-eight primary six children’s perceptions of what the school spaces afford. Schools should provide sufficient learning spaces that are broadly utilized and flexible to provide supplementary learning experiences for children.

Examining the Factor Structure and Psychometric Properties of the Adverse Childhood Experiences Questionnaire Among College Students in the Southeastern United States

Examining the Factor Structure and Psychometric Properties of the Adverse Childhood Experiences Questionnaire Among College Students in the Southeastern United States

PROTOCOL: The association between adverse childhood experiences and employment outcomes: Protocol for a systematic review

PROTOCOL: The association between adverse childhood experiences and employment outcomes: Protocol for a systematic review

Relationship between Adverse Childhood Experiences and Gang Participation Among Youth in Mombasa County, Kenya: From the Perspective of Household Challenges

Purpose: Gang participation has become a universal phenomenon attracting increasing attention in both developed and developing countries. Previous research denotes strong evidence that early life adverse traumas and events heighten the risk of delinquent behaviour among young people. This study aimed to find out whether there is a relationship between household challenges and gang participation among youth gang members in Mombasa County. This study was guided by the Interactional Theory by Terrence Thornberry (1987). Methods: This study employed a correlational research design within the context of Ex-post facto research. The study population consisted of alleged, convicted, and reforming gang members in Mombasa. They were drawn from a database accessed by the Nyali District Peace Committee (DPC) which has 358 members aged between 15-31 years. Purposive, and snowball sampling techniques were used to gather data from the sample. Descriptive statistics namely, frequencies, percentages, and measures of central tendency were used. Inferential statistics namely the Pearson Product Moment correlation coefficient, linear, and regression was then employed to establish the relationship between household challenges and gang participation. Results: The findings revealed a strong positive correlation between gang participation and household challenges (r = 0.876, p &lt; 0.01). Implication: The findings of this study will guide the formulation of programs and interventions for the rehabilitation and reintegration of these gang members. These can be of help to Civil Society Organizations, law enforcement agencies, and probation officers.

The Role of Nationality in Childhood Caries in Qatar.

There were two objectives. First, to understand the variation of primary dentition caries among 4- to 8-year-old children in Qatar across nationality classified into four groups, and second, to explore whether the association persisted in the presence of socio-demographic and behavioural indicators. The study used data from the Qatar Child Oral Health Survey 2017 (QCOHS 2017). Detailed information was collected through a parental dual-language questionnaire and an oral epidemiological examination conducted by calibrated dentist examiners. Children in 20 kindergartens and 40 schools across Qatar were recruited. Data were weighted to represent the Qatar child population. Overall, 1154 children aged 4-8 years old (48.9% female, 51.1% male) participated. Qatari children made up 26.3%, Non-Qatari (N-Q) Arabic children 44.2% N-Q Indian sub-continent 16.4% and N-Q Other 13.1%. There were no significant differences by nationality for age or sex, but differences existed for kindergarten/school type and parents' highest level of education. Among behavioural indicators, Qatari and N-Q Arabic children began toothbrushing later, and more N-Q Other children brushed 2+ times a day and had made a check-up visit in the last 12 months. More Qatari children were in the highest tertial for sugar intake and drank bottled water with no fluoride. All N-Q children had a significantly lower prevalence and experience of caries. The means ratio (95% CI) for N-Q Arabic (0.78; 0.65-0.94), Indian (0.58; 0.46-0.72) and other children (0.61; 0.42-0.88) were all significant against Qatari nationality children. Multivariable models showed an attenuation of the association with caries with the means ratio for N-Q Arabic (0.92; 0.73-1.16), Indian (0.79; 0.57-1.11) and other children (0.94; 0.61-1.44) being non-significant compared to Qatari nationality children. The variables which were significantly associated with caries were parental education, toothbrushing frequency, sugar intake and check-up visiting in the last 12 months in the multivariable models. Primary dentition caries in children resident in Qatar differed by nationality. The association of primary dentition caries with nationality was markedly attenuated and non-significant in the presence of socio-demographic and behavioural variables, pointing towards the importance of these variables as the pathways to improving primary dentition caries prevalence and experience of children in Qatar.

A Systematic Review of Residential Care for Children and Young People with Disabilities: Towards the Development of Quality Indicators

AbstractConsidering data that suggests an overrepresentation of children/youth with disabilities in Residential Care Homes (RCH), placing them in a situation of accumulation of risk factors and increased vulnerability, this study presents a systematic literature review (SLR) focused on this target group. Research questions address prevalence rates, characteristics and outcomes of children/youth with disabilities in RCH; characteristics and practices of RCH, and evidence-based interventions; and recommendations to improve practices to support the development of quality indicators to improve the experience of children and young people with disabilities in RCH. Methodology followed PRISMA-P and the protocol was registered with PROSPERO. Five databases were used and 31 studies were included. Results demonstrate the need for clear definitions of disability to ensure consistent data and guide policymaking for RCH. Moreover, results show gaps in research on the experiences of children/youth with disabilities in RCH, and on specific interventions for this population. Based on the recommendations offered by the literature, this SLR contributes to the development of quality indicators that consider the needs of children/youth with disabilities in RCH and promote their participation in all areas of life.