Childhood Experiences Research Articles

Timing of adverse childhood experiences and depressive, anxiety, comorbid symptoms among Chinese female nurses: A life course perspective.

Nurses demonstrate a greater vulnerability to developing depressive and anxiety symptoms compared to the general population. Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) are known risk factors for mental health issues, but impact of timing of these experiences remains unclear. To investigate associations between timing of ACEs and depressive, anxiety, comorbid symptoms. Using convenience sampling, a cross-sectional study was conducted. The sample was 1966 female nurses from seven hospitals in Zhejiang Province, China. Nurses completed a questionnaire assessing sociodemographic characteristics, ACEs, depressive and anxiety symptoms. Timing of ACEs was categorized as childhood, adolescence, and both periods. Comorbid symptoms referred to simultaneous presence of both depressive and anxiety symptoms. Multivariable logistic regression was used to examine associations between ACEs timing and mental health outcomes, presented as Odds Ratios (ORs) with 95% Confidence Intervals (CIs). A total of 429 (21.82%) participants experienced ACEs in both periods. ACEs occurring only in childhood, only in adolescence, and in both periods were all associated with increased depressive, anxiety, and comorbid symptoms. An increasing trend in number of ACEs from childhood to adolescence was linked to higher symptoms in adulthood. Familial ACEs in both periods were strongly linked to higher depressive (OR=1.85, 95% CI [1.14, 3.01]), anxiety (OR=2.55, 95% CI [1.41, 4.60]), and comorbid symptoms (OR=2.92, 95% CI [1.50, 5.70]). The timing of ACEs influenced the development of mental health issues. It is imperative to provide targeted psychological support based on timing of ACEs to improve mental health in this population.

Parent and Carer Experiences of Health Care Professionals' Communications About a Child's Higher Weight: a Qualitative Systematic Review.

The objective of this systematic review was to identify, critically appraise, and synthesize the best available qualitative evidence on parent and carer experiences of communications by health care professionals (HCPs) concerning children's higher weight. A child's higher weight can be a sensitive issue to discuss in health care, but successful communication with parents can increase parental compliance with treatment and improve overall family welfare. Public discourse on obesity has shifted in recent years and created pressure to change the way that weight is discussed in health care. It is, therefore, important to explore how parents and carers experience the communication about children's higher weight to ensure an effective, up-to-date, and ethical counseling on childhood obesity. This qualitative review included studies that focused on the experiences of parents or carers of children (birth to 12years) with a higher weight who received a verbal or written communication from HCPs about their child's weight. The following databases were systematically searched from 2010 onward: MEDLINE (EBSCOhost), CINAHL (EBSCOhost), PsycINFO (Ovid), Scopus, LILACS, and the Finnish health sciences database MEDIC. ProQuest Dissertations and Theses (ProQuest) were searched for unpublished articles. The search was conducted in July 2022 and updated in October 2023. No country or language limits were applied. A manual search was used to supplement the database searches. Study selection including title and abstract screening, full-text screening, and critical appraisal and data extraction were performed by 2 reviewers. The research findings were categorized and aggregated into synthesized findings. The synthesized findings were assigned confidence scores and categories and finalized synthesized findings were agreed upon by all reviewers. The 33 studies included varied in qualitative study design and methodological quality. There were over 900 eligible participants (parents and carers) and 147 unequivocal and credible research findings. The research findings yielded 8 categories and 3 synthesized findings with low confidence scores. The synthesized findings were: i) Parents receiving communication on a child's higher weight experience strong feelings that can affect their parenting, ii) A health care professional's active and individual communication, with the sensitive use of words, creates a good communication experience for parents; and iii) Parents want to receive information about the child's higher weight that is useful to them and is based on an acceptable weight estimation. Although confidence in the synthesized findings is low, the results of this review indicate that communication on a child's higher weight in health care should meet the parents' expectations and the family's situation and needs. Having the skills to deal with heightened emotions, the expertise and empathy as a professional, and providing appropriate information create a good communication experience for the parents. In addition, parents' desire to protect their child and the strengthening of the parenting experience should be acknowledged to conduct safe communication.

Availability of assistive technologies (ATs) to children with disabilities in Bulawayo central district (BCD) in Zimbabwe

Purpose: Availability of assistive technologies (ATs) to children with disabilities is a critical human right enshrined in United Nations (UN) treaties and frameworks such as the United Nations Conventions on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD), the United Nations Conventions on Rights of the Child (UNCRC), and United Nations 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. ATs optimize functionality, independence, and enhance educational experiences of children with disabilities. The study explored availability of ATs to children with disabilities in Bulawayo Central District (BCD) in Zimbabwe. Materials and methods: The study was a predominantly qualitative inquiry but triangulated qualitative research with quantitative data sources and perspectives. Structured and semi- structured questionnaires and interviews were used to elicit data from a sample of 10 teachers, 5 Heads of schools, and 10 parents of children with disabilities. Data from questionnaires were analysed using frequencies and descriptive summaries while data from interviews were presented in narrative summaries and analysed using thematic content analysis. Results: The study demonstrated that ATs are a human rights enabler which is fundamental for development, equalization, and inclusion of children with disabilities in education. Major barriers to availability of ATs include lack of awareness and knowledge of ATs among educators and other professionals, as well as parents of children with disabilities. In addition, inadequate clear and distinct disability-oriented policies and legislation were a challenge to the availability of ATs in Zimbabwe. The Zimbabwe government seems to have put in place administrative educational policies which guide inclusive education, but the implementation and availability of ATs remains elusive.

Sex/gender differences in the associations between adverse childhood experiences and intimate partner violence with mental disorders and attempted suicide: Variations by race/ethnicity.

This cross-sectional study explored sex/gender differences in the associations between adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) and intimate partner violence (IPV) with mental health problems (i.e., attempted suicide and mental disorders), including whether sex/gender differences varied by race/ethnicity. Data were used from participants in the National Epidemiologic Survey on Alcohol and Related Conditions in the United States of America (Wave II: 2004-2005). Logistic regressions tested associations between ACEs (i.e., child abuse, child neglect, and child household dysfunction) and IPV or cumulative trauma with mental health problems along with sex/gender and race/ethnicity interactions. Females who experienced child abuse or three to four cumulative traumas had greater odds of attempted suicide than males with the same experiences. Males who experienced IPV had greater odds of attempted suicide than females who experienced IPV. There were significant sex/gender differences in the associations between cumulative trauma and mental disorders (i.e., mood disorder, anxiety disorder, alcohol use disorder, and nicotine dependence), except posttraumatic stress disorder. For example, females with cumulative trauma had greater odds of substance use disorders. Many sex/gender differences in associations between ACEs and IPV or cumulative trauma with mental health problems varied by race/ethnicity. For example, child neglect was associated with greater odds of attempted suicide for non-Hispanic Black males (adjusted odds ratio [AOR] = 3.53 vs. AOR = 1.29 for females), whereas no sex/gender differences in this association were revealed for non-Hispanic White or Hispanic adults. Findings show sex/gender differences in associations between trauma and mental health problems that vary by race/ethnicity and warrant further study. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2025 APA, all rights reserved).

Moderating role of emotional intelligence on the association between adverse childhood experiences and conduct problems of adolescents

We explored the moderating role of emotional intelligence in the relationship between adverse childhood experiences and conduct problems of adolescents. The participants were 588 in-school Nigerian adolescents (male = 59.9%; mean age = 14.64 years, SD = 1.31 years). They completed measures of adverse childhood experiences–abuse domain (ACEs–AD), conduct problems, and emotional intelligence. Hayes regression-based PROCESS macro results revealed that the physical/emotional abuse and sexual abuse were positively associated with conduct problems. Test of moderation effects indicated that physical/emotional and sexual abuse was positively related to conduct problems for adolescents with low emotional intelligence but not for adolescents with moderate and high emotional intelligence. The study findings suggest higher emotional intelligence as an asset for resilient coping with ACE and reducing the risk for in-school adolescents’ conduct problems.

The undertold story: A leadership program to expand recognition of the importance of early childhood experiences.

There are considerable data documenting the importance of early experiences for healthy human development. Though widely accepted amongst mental health clinicians, developmental researchers and early childhood policymakers, this information is not well known by much of the public. We describe a specialized program designed for established and emerging leaders in Louisiana, United States of America, to help them become better informed to take action to support young children and their families and to facilitate connections across sectors for greater impact. Conducted annually for 6 years, the program drew leaders from a variety of professional sectors working in every region of the state. To evaluate the effectiveness of the program, we conducted semi-structured interviews of program graduates and tabulated responses by thematic analysis. We conclude that translation efforts delivered in this kind of format can lead to gains in knowledge among leaders and action to support early childhood development and well-being.

The Contribution of Adverse Childhood Experiences and Neighborhood Characteristics on Outcomes Experienced by Urban Dwelling Black Men After Serious Traumatic Injury.

Depression and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) are serious consequences of physical injuries. Stress associated with living in urban neighborhoods with socioecological disadvantages and the cumulative burdens of adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) can lead to poorer psychological outcomes. Limited research has explored how ACEs and socioecological environmental exposures in childhood and adulthood, together, impact post-injury outcomes. This study assessed the relative contributions of ACEs and neighborhood exposures during childhood and adulthood on post-injury outcomes among Black men in Philadelphia. We used data from a prospective cohort of 414 Black men from thePhiladelphia region, aged ≥ 18years, who sustained acute physical injuries requiring hospitalization. Primary outcomes were post-injury PTSD and depression. Secondary outcomes were sleep quality, self-reported health status, changes in substance use, and return to work. The study used perceived and objective measures of neighborhood characteristics and self-reported ACEs to model their relative impact on outcomes 3months after hospital discharge. Higher levels of ACEs and higher perceived neighborhood disorder during childhood and adulthood were significant predictors of PTSD and depression symptomseverity. Perceived neighborhood disorder contributed to sleep disturbances and decline in post-injury health. Census/administrative objective measures of neighborhood disadvantage did not show consistent associations with post-injury outcomes. Findings suggest that both ACEs and subjective perception of neighborhood environments are critical factors influencing post-injury recovery in urban Black men. Interventions to improve post-injury outcomes should consider preventing ACEs and addressing the tangible conditions of neighborhoods and residents' perceptions of their surroundings to promote health equity and injury recovery.

Knowledge on Trauma, Adverse Childhood Experiences, and Parental Bonding in a Sample of Italian Teachers

Knowledge on Trauma, Adverse Childhood Experiences, and Parental Bonding in a Sample of Italian Teachers

Analysis of factors influencing the acquisition of sustainable mobility through immersive experience in primary school children

Gamification and Escape Rooms (ER) have emerged as effective tools for fostering attitudinal and behavioural shifts and enhancing learning. While their application in sustainable mobility remains limited, it is predominantly associated with digital games and mobile applications tailored towards an adult audience. This study explores the potential of these tools in cultivating an understanding of sustainable mobility principles among children aged 10 to 13. Through an immersive experience involving problem-solving and puzzles, 174 participating students were immersed in a playful setting conductive to assimilating knowledge about sustainable mobility. Pre- and post-experience questionnaires were administered to assess the extent of learning, and their results were categorised based on student characteristics, such as gender and mobility patterns. Using multinomial logit models to analyse the questionnaire data helped identify variables that affect the likelihood of giving correct answers before and after the experience. The results indicate that gender, bicycle usage, dependence on public transportation, and the number of cars in the household significantly impact awareness of mobility issues. Moreover, the ER experience has been found to cause a small yet noticeable change in understanding sustainable mobility concepts.

Faith motifs in the constructions of family meanings by adults with care experience in Zimbabwe

PurposeAdults with care experience often struggle to make sense of their family relationships owing to adverse childhood experiences (ACES). This study analysed motifs of faith and spirituality in how care leavers made sense of the concept of “family” in their lives.Design/methodology/approachQualitative semi-structured interviews were used to collect data from 45 adult care leavers Harare, Zimbabwe. A thematic analysis brought out recurring ideas of faith and spirituality that influenced participants’ family constructions.FindingsThe Church played a functional role in care leavers’ lives providing support and care. Faith-based residential care facilities engaged in group spiritual practices, such as going to Church together, praying and worshiping together, which fall within the contemporary concept of “family practices” and allowed care leavers to view unrelated caregivers as “family” based on shared experiences. Finally having faith in God was described as an anchoring force when dealing with the hardships of adulthood in the absence of biological family and state support. These findings have implications for social policy around the role of faith-based institutions in child welfare.Originality/valueThe investigation of the role of faith and spirituality in care-experienced lives is an emerging area of study. This study explores the role of faith and spirituality in care leavers interpersonal lives, which contributes to studies of care leavers’ personal lives. As a marginalized group of young people, their voices are crucial in informing social policy around their care after leaving public state care.

Are maternal adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) and resilience associated with breastfeeding rates and neonatal growth?

Are maternal adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) and resilience associated with breastfeeding rates and neonatal growth?

A nested case-control study evaluating the relationship between adverse childhood experiences and immune-mediated inflammatory disease in the Canadian Longitudinal Study on Aging

ObjectiveAdverse childhood experiences (ACE) have inconsistently been implicated as risk factors for immune-mediated inflammatory diseases (IMID). We evaluated whether the association of ACE with disease differs between IMID and other...

Self-Identified Employment Challenges for Young Adults with a Cleft Lip and Palate: A Qualitative Exploration.

As individuals with a cleft lip and palate (CLP) transition into adulthood, they face unique employment challenges related to income, job stability, and fewer career options. This study explored these challenges through two focus group discussions with 19 participants (aged 21-38), primarily women, to understand their employment experiences. Thematic analysis revealed the following three main themes: (1) physical factors, (2) psychosocial factors, and (3) overcoming employment challenges, with nine sub-themes including speech, hearing, appearance, health, childhood experiences, societal expectations, lack of self-confidence, communication improvement, and self-esteem building. The findings highlighted that physical and psychosocial factors significantly shape employment outcomes for CLP individuals. Difficulties with speech often hinder professional communication, while appearance concerns can reduce confidence in interviews and workplaces. To address these issues, the participants used strategies like targeted speech therapy and self-esteem building, which helped improve their communication and resilience. This study emphasises the need for targeted interventions such as specialised career counselling, access to assistive technologies, and inclusive workplace policies to support CLP individuals in overcoming employment barriers and achieving stable careers.

Early Childhood Education in Times of Pandemic: The lived experience of children in Latinamerican countries

Early Childhood Education in Times of Pandemic: The lived experience of children in Latinamerican countries

Adverse childhood experiences and post-traumatic stress impacts on brain connectivity and alcohol use in adolescence

ABSTRACT The current study investigated the relationship between adverse childhood experiences (ACEs), post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms, within-network resting-state functional connectivity (rs-FC), and alcohol use during adolescence using functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) data from the National Consortium on Alcohol and Neurodevelopment in Adolescence study (NCANDA; N = 687). Significant rs-FC differences emerged that linked participant ACEs, PTSD symptoms, and alcohol use problems. Participants with ACEs compared to those without had diminished rs-FC within the default mode, salience, and medial frontoparietal networks (p ≤ 0.005). Further reduction in rs-FC within the default mode and medial frontoparietal networks (p ≤ 0.005) was found when PTSD symptoms were present in addition to ACEs. Findings suggest that PTSD symptoms are associated with lower within network rs-FC beyond exposure to ACEs, and some of these rs-FC changes were associated with worsened alcohol use problems (i.e. withdrawal symptoms). These findings highlight the importance of addressing PTSD symptoms in adolescents with a history of ACEs as it may mitigate problematic changes in brain connectivity and reduce the risk of developing alcohol use problems.

“It isn’t the same for everyone”: Early childhood educators’ lived experiences with cultivating social inclusion

ABSTRACT Children with disabilities are less likely than their peers without disabilities to exercise their rights to education and participation in their communities. Early childhood educators play a crucial role in ensuring that all children are included in daily activities and interactions to foster children’s wellbeing. However, educators receive minimal training on fostering social inclusion in early childhood settings. The purpose of this phenomenological study was to explore thirty-seven early childhood education professionals’ experiences and perceptions of cultivating social inclusion in the context of a training program called Building Friendships. The program involved participation in a series of training workshops aimed at fostering play and friendships in diverse and inclusive child care settings. Interviews were conducted to explore participants’ perceptions and experiences with social inclusion before and after training workshops. Educators delineated a range of issues pertaining to the quality of social inclusion, and additional training appeared to serve as a catalyst for reflection and practice changes which improved the social experiences of children with disabilities in their care. This study underscores the diverse understandings and experiences of educators with regards to social inclusion and benefits associated with providing opportunities for professional development which can promote best practices.

The Impact of Adverse Childhood Experiences on the Development of Adolescent Risk-Taking: The Mediating Effect of Self-Control and Moderating Effect of Genetic Variations.

Risk-taking is a concerning yet prevalent issue during adolescence and can be life-threatening. Examining its etiological sources and evolving pathways helps inform strategies to mitigate adolescents' risk-taking behavior. Studies have found that unfavorable environmental factors, such as adverse childhood experiences (ACEs), are associated with momentary levels of risk-taking in adolescents, but little is known about whether ACEs shape the developmental trajectory of risk-taking. Even less research has investigated the underlying mechanisms. Drawing on the self-regulation theory, this study examined the associations between ACEs and the developmental trajectory of adolescent risk-taking. Moreover, it also explored self-control as a mediator and genetic variations as a moderator from a "gene × environment" approach. Participants were 564 Chinese adolescents (48.40% males, Mage = 14.20 years, SD = 1.52). Adolescents reported their ACEs and self-control at T1 and risk-taking three times, with a six-month interval between each time point. Adolescents' saliva was collected at T1 for genetic extraction, and polygenetic index was created based on the gene-by-environment interaction between SNPs and ACEs for self-control via the leave-one-out machine learning approach. Findings of latent growth modeling revealed that adolescents' risk-taking decreased over time. ACEs were directly and indirectly through self-control associated with high initial levels of, and a rapid decrease in, risk-taking, especially for those with a higher polygenetic index compared to those with a lower polygenetic index. Theoretically, these results suggest a tripartite model of adolescent risk-taking, such that risk-taking is the combined function of adverse experiences in early years, low self-control, and carriage of sensitive genes. Practically, intervention strategies should reduce childhood adversities, build up self-control, and consider the potential impacts of genetic plasticity.

Association between adverse childhood experiences and menstruation-related symptoms among Japanese female workers: A cross-sectional study.

Menstruation-related symptoms are a common and serious health problem even without a specific diagnosis such as premenstrual dysphoric mood disorder (PMDD) or dysmenorrhea. Various adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) might be associated with menstruation-related symptoms, not only traditional traumatic events such as abuse, but also expanded ACEs such as childhood poverty, school bullying, or natural disasters. This study examined the association between expanded ACEs (ACEs for Japanese) and menstruation-related symptoms among Japanese working women. Data came from an online survey conducted in October 2023 that included women aged 20-44 working full-time, who have never been pregnant and are not currently using contraception. Menstruation-related symptoms severity was evaluated using the Menstrual Distress Questionnaire (MDQ) and the Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder (PMDD) scale. The MDQ score of the premenstrual and menstrual phases were classified into four categories as menstrual symptoms severity of each phase. Logistic regression assessed the association between ACEs and each outcome, adjusting for covariates. The analysis included 2000 women. Premenstrual and menstrual symptoms severity increased with two or more ACEs. In the fully adjusted model, women with four or more ACEs significantly showed severe premenstrual symptoms (adjusted odds ratio [aOR]=2.81, 95%CI:2.12-3.72), and severe menstrual symptoms (aOR=3.03, 95%CI: 2.29-4.02). Four or more ACEs were associated with PMDD (aOR=5.61, 95%CI: 2.65-11.89). Childhood poverty and school bullying were also associated with menstruation-related symptoms severity, and natural disasters with PMDD. Expanded ACEs were associated with menstruation-related symptoms. The results suggested the importance of trauma-informed care in gynecology, obstetrics, and occupational health practice.

Adverse childhood experiences and diurnal cortisol pattern and heart rate variability in adults.

Dysregulation of hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis (HPA axis) and of the autonomic nervous system may link stress throughout the life course with poorer health. This study aims to investigate whether multiple adverse childhood experiences have a long-term impact on markers of these systems - cortisol secretion and heart rate variability - in adulthood. Data were from the Whitehall II cohort study. Fourteen adversities, collected retrospectively in midlife, were considered. Outcomes were total amount of cortisol secretion during the day (area under the curve [AUC]), cortisol awakening response (CAR), and diurnal slope, estimated from six saliva samples taken on a weekday; and resting heart rate (rHR) and heart rate variability (HRV) measured for five minutes at three time points over 10 years with the last measures taken at the same time as the salivary measurement. Regression models were used to examine the association of adversities with AUC, CAR, rHR and HRV and multilevel modelling was applied to analyses of cortisol diurnal slope and the 10-year follow-up of rHR and HRV. At least one early life adversity was reported by 68 % of participants. There was little evidence that increasing number of adversities was associated with any measures of cortisol, rHR or HRV or 10-year change in rHR or HRV. Of the individual adversities, only parental death was associated with increased AUC and CAR. In conclusion, although the HPA axis and autonomic nervous system have been hypothesized as mechanisms relating to adverse childhood experiences with health, our study finds no evidence to support this.

Research Review: Sex differences in the clinical correlates of nonsuicidal self-injury in adolescents - a systematic review.

Nonsuicidal self-injury (NSSI), or 'the deliberate, self-inflicted destruction of body tissue…without suicidal intent and for purposes not culturally sanctioned', is a robust predictor of future suicide-related behavior and therefore a modifiable target for suicide prevention. The prevalence of NSSI is rising in adolescents, particularly among females; however, it is unknown whether sex differences also exist in the clinical and psychosocial factors associated with NSSI. Understanding how the correlates of NSSI differ by sex is important for developing tailored treatments. This study systematically reviews sex differences in the clinical and psychosocial correlates of NSSI among adolescents. MEDLINE and PsycINFO were searched using the keywords 'adolescents', 'self-injury', and 'sex factors' and synonyms for English-language articles published between January 1, 2000 and May 10, 2022. We included studies that presented original data on NSSI, included adolescents ages 10-19, reported sex differences, and explicitly defined self-injury as that done without suicidal intent. Fifty-seven studies containing 54 unique samples were included. Data were summarized by sex and recorded by: (a) characteristics of NSSI, (b) clinical and psychosocial correlates of NSSI, and (c) associations with suicide. We used data on NSSI from 54 unique samples of adolescents worldwide. Males more commonly used violent methods of NSSI, such as burning, and were more likely to be physically aggressive and experience substance abuse. Females more commonly self-injured by cutting, and their NSSI was more likely to be repetitive and associated with emotional distress. In both sexes, NSSI was associated with adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) such as sexual abuse/violence and bullying. NSSI was predictive of suicide in females but not males. Data from 22 countries and 352,516 participants suggest important sex differences in the clinical and psychosocial factors associated with NSSI among adolescents that future assessment and treatment strategies ought to consider.