Household Dysfunction Research Articles

The prevalence of wordings on Adverse Childhood Experiences in child welfare assessments in a sample of young people in secure institutional care

ABSTRACT In Sweden, young people with behaviours considered norm-breaking and destructive by society are placed in secure institutional care. While these young people’s behaviour is frequently debated, there is little knowledge about their family and home conditions. This study aims to identify writings (i.e. wordings, sentences, etc.) referring to Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) in child welfare assessments of a sample (n = 84) of young people placed in secure institutional care. The documentation was analysed by applying manifest quantitative content analysis using ACEs established in previous research as deductive categories. In addition, wordings related to the legal grounds for placement were also identified. The analysis shows that the burden of child abuse and household dysfunction is large in the sample. Compared to population-based prevalence studies, the current study presents much higher numbers, with almost 90% of the cases containing writings with reference to at least one ACE category and 38–50% referring to four or more. The findings constitute an important contribution to research on young people in secure care, by adding knowledge about adversity during childhood as a crucial part of these young people’s needs and challenges.

Validation of the Croatian version of the adverse childhood experiences questionnaire 10-item version

ABSTRACT This study aimed to validate the Croatian version of the Adverse Childhood Experiences Questionnaire 10-item version (ACE-10) in a sample of 293 emerging adults (mean age 22 years old; 56.9% women). ACE-10 is a self-report retrospective questionnaire that assesses abuse, neglect, and household dysfunction. Measures of depression, anxiety, stress, and resilience were included to assess concurrent validity. The results confirmed the expected two-factor structure, displaying robust psychometric properties and concurrent validity. The ACE-10 proves reliable, making it well-suited for examining adverse childhood experiences in Croatian samples.

An Examination of Underlying Domains in Childhood Adversity: A Scoping Review of Studies Conducting Factor Analyses on Adverse Childhood Experiences

There is an abundance of research linking experiences of childhood adversity to negative physical and mental health outcomes. Areas that remain to be explored and expanded upon include the ideal set of events for inclusion in measures of childhood adversity and testing the models of risk (e.g., cumulative, specificity, dimensional). In the current paper, we performed a scoping review to develop a comprehensive list of studies that conducted factor analyses of childhood adversity measures. There were 89 articles that met the inclusion criteria; trends in the underlying factor structures are reported. Highly associated yet distinct constructs of adversity have demonstrated empirical utility in predicting outcomes in dozens of studies, with consensus that physical abuse, emotional abuse, sexual abuse, physical and emotional neglect, and household dysfunction offer important predictive value to understanding developmental mechanisms of change. We endorse revisions to one commonly used scale that could offer researchers a consistent and psychometrically robust measure of adversity.

Exploring the Link Between Adverse Childhood Experiences and Adolescent Dating Violence Perpetration and Victimization: A Review of the Literature

Background and Purpose: Adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) have been linked with multiple adverse outcomes, including adolescent dating violence (ADV). ADV is a serious public health issue, with the U.S. rates ranging from 6.4% to 73% for victimization across all types and from 11% to 77% for perpetration. Given the high prevalence of ADV and the fact that it has been frequently linked with ACEs earlier in life, it is crucial to thoroughly understand this relation and apply this information to prevention and intervention efforts. However, to date, there are no known reviews synthesizing the link between ACEs and ADV, nor exploring which ACEs have been included across other studies. Methods: To address these gaps, this study included three comprehensive searches to identify the following: (1) the measurement tools used to measure ACEs; (2) the type of ACEs significantly linked with ADV; and (3) the risk and protective factors considered in this relation. Results: A total of 34 studies were included. There were 24 different assessment tools used to measure the ACEs of adolescents, with the number of ACEs included ranging from 1 to 93. All but one study linked at least one ACE to ADV. The types of ACEs linked with ADV consisted of victimization (e.g., child abuse and bullying), witnessing violence (i.e., home and school), and household dysfunction (e.g., caregiver substance abuse). Several risk and protective factors were considered. Conclusions/Implications: This study found the measurement of ACEs in the literature to be inconsistent, making it difficult to synthesize and compare the findings across studies. Despite the measurement inconsistencies, however, most studies linked ACEs with ADV, emphasizing the importance of considering this relation in prevention/intervention programming.

Challenging the use of the overall adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) score: Comparing total ACEs, maltreatment, and household dysfunction on mental health problems among White, African American, and Native American women under correctional control.

Adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) have been consistently linked to mental health problems. There have been recent conceptual and empirical critiques that suggest maltreatment and household dysfunction to not be combined to create a composite ACE score. Women in correctional custody demonstrate disproportionately high ACE levels and greater mental health problems as to racial minorities. The present study compared the effects of varying operationalizations of the ACEs measure on women's mental health stratified across race using a sample of White, African American, and Native American women in correctional custody in Oklahoma. The cross-sectional study administered a paper-and-pencil survey to 494 women. Structural equation modeling was used to test hypotheses. Maltreatment was a significant predictor of women's mental health across all racial groups but demonstrated the strongest effect among African American inmates. Household dysfunction was not a significant predictor of mental health for any racial group. When comparing the maltreatment-only model to the maltreatment and household dysfunction model, and the overall ACE score model, there was little explained variance lost. These findings indicate that maltreatment demonstrates unique associations with women's mental health and may be the driving force behind the relationship between ACEs and adult mental health among women within correctional custody. Researchers are advised to not use the overall ACE score and instead break down the measure into the maltreatment and household dysfunction subscales. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2024 APA, all rights reserved).

Exploring the Association between Parenting Stress and a Child’s Exposure to Positive Childhood Experiences (PCEs)

AbstractHigh levels of parenting stress, defined as a caregiver or parent feeling stress or aggravation from parenting, has been previously shown to be associated with an increased likelihood of neglect, child maltreatment, and household dysfunction: adverse childhood experiences (ACEs). Despite the potential mitigation of positive childhood experiences (PCEs) on ACEs, prior studies on the increased likelihood of a child experiencing ACEs due to parenting stress have left a critical question unanswered: whether high parenting stress may decrease a child’s likelihood of experiencing PCEs. We analyzed the 2019–2020 National Survey of Children’s Health to examine whether higher levels of parenting stress are associated with the lower likelihood of experiencing PCEs among children. Children with caregivers experiencing high parenting stress had a lower odds of experiencing many types of PCEs, including after school activities (aOR 0.48; 95% CI 0.38–0.57), community volunteer (aOR 0.63; 95% CI 0.52–0.77), and guiding mentor (aOR 0.65; 95% CI 0.50–0.85). Lowering parenting stress through economic supports and parenting programs/interventions could increase the likelihood that a child experiences PCEs.

Adverse Childhood Experiences and Suboptimal Self-Rated Health in Adulthood: Exploring Effect Modification by Age, Sex and Race/Ethnicity.

This study examined whether the relationship between adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) and self-rated health among adults in a nationally representative population is modified by age, sex, or race/ethnicity. Cross-sectional study. United States. Data from the 2020 and 2021 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System were obtained from 185731 (weighted N = 47862016) persons 18years or older. The ACE cumulative score (range: 0-11) was calculated using 11 questions about childhood emotional abuse, physical abuse, sexual abuse, and household dysfunction before age 18 and classified as 0 (reference), 1, 2, 3, or ≥4. Self-rated health was divided into (excellent/very good/good [reference]) and suboptimal (fair/poor) categories. Multivariable-adjusted logistic regression was conducted to test for the interaction with age, sex, and race/ethnicity with ACEs. After adjustment for potential confounders, an increasing number of ACEs had statistically significantly higher odds of suboptimal self-rated health in a graded manner except for 1 ACE (1 ACE: aOR:1.09; 95% CI: 1.00-1.20, 2 ACEs: 1.16; 1.03-1.30, 3 ACEs: 1.17; 1.03-1.32 and ≥4 ACEs: 1.39; 1.26-1.53). There was a significant interaction between ACEs and age. Younger age (18-24years) had the strongest association for ≥4 ACEs compared to the older age groups. There was no effect modification by sex or race. ACEs should be considered when creating health-promoting interventions to improve health.

Adverse childhood experiences and myocardial infarction: Analysis of United States Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS) data

Adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) have been linked to an increased risk of disease in adulthood and a range of other negative health outcomes, including cardiovascular disease (CVD). This study aims to build on previous research on ACEs and CVD by investigating the association between ACEs and heart attack or myocardial infarction diagnosis. Our analysis used cross-sectional data from the 2021 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS) annual survey and ACE Module questionnaires. Responses included data from a national sample of 52,492 adults aged 18 years or older in the United States. ACEs value is a composite score of physical, emotional and sexual abuse, household dysfunction, neglect, and other childhood traumas. The study population had a mean number of 1.75 ACEs (SD 2.25), with 61% experiencing at least one ACE and 17% experiencing four or more ACEs. Almost 6% of adults in the sample reported a previous myocardial infarction (5.7%). Multiple logistic regression analysis demonstrated that, after adjusting for a variety of sociodemographic and health covariates, every one-event increase in the number of ACEs was significantly associated with 6% increased odds of myocardial infarction in adulthood (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] = 1.06, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.04 – 1.09, p <0.001). Efforts to decrease the incidence of myocardial infarction and reduce cardiac-related mortality in the U.S. should include policies that reduce the occurrence of ACEs and provide resources for adults to address their childhood traumas.

Transgenerational impact of maternal adverse childhood experiences on children's mental health among families experiencing homelessness

BackgroundAdverse childhood experiences (ACEs) threaten the livelihood of individuals and their families. This may be particularly detrimental for mothers facing homelessness and their children's behavioral adjustment. ObjectiveThis study compared two models to examine the impact of maternal ACEs on children's internalizing and externalizing symptoms. Rather than using the cumulative approach to conceptualize ACEs, we analyzed a model that assessed the effect of each maternal ACE individually (i.e., specificity model) and another model that categorized them into two subtypes of maltreatment and household dysfunction (i.e., dimensional model). Participants and settingWe evaluated a sample of 164 children and their mothers in a residential vocational training program in Northern California. MethodsACEs for both mother and children and children's behavioral outcomes were collected via questionnaires completed by the mothers with the assistance of trained researchers. Additional demographic data was collected via trained case managers at the residential facility. Two models (i.e., specificity model; dimensional model) were utilized to better understand how to best assess adversity in settings with limited resources. ResultsResults of the specificity ACE model identified maternal childhood physical abuse and parental incarceration as predictors of internalizing problems and parental substance problems as a predictor of externalizing behaviors. The dimensional ACE model indicated that only the broad category of maltreatment predicted internalizing behavioral difficulties. The individual ACE model demonstrated a better fit for the data and highlighted specific events relevant to children's outcomes. ConclusionsThese results suggest that programs focusing on ending generational trauma may benefit from screening participants for individual ACE and tailoring services for mothers and children accordingly.

Associations of childhood household dysfunction and healthy lifestyle with depressive symptoms in adolescents

ObjectiveLimited understanding exists regarding the cumulative impact of childhood household dysfunction (CHD) on adolescent depressive symptoms in developing countries, as well as the role of lifestyles in this association. This study aims to explore the associations of individual and cumulative CHD indicators with depressive symptoms among Chinese adolescents. Additionally, we investigate potential interactions and joint associations of CHD and lifestyles on depressive symptoms. MethodsIn the second phase of the Longitudinal Study of Adolescents’ Mental and Behavioral Well-being Research, data on depressive symptoms, CHD indicators, lifestyle factors, and other covariates were collected from 3106 students (mean [SD] age, 15.16 [1.52] years). Linear and logistic mixed-effects models were employed, with both stratified and joint analyses conducted. ResultsExcept for parental death, each CHD indicator was associated with an increased risk of depressive symptoms. The accumulation of CHD indicators exhibited a positive, graded association with depressive symptoms scores (β = 3.22, 95% CI: 2.48 to 3.97 for one CHD indicator; β = 5.45, 95% CI: 4.41 to 6.49 for two or more CHD indicators, all P < 0.01). A significant interaction was found between the number of CHD indicators and the healthy lifestyle score (interaction β = −0.40, 95% CI: −0.78 to −0.03, P < 0.05), indicating that healthy lifestyles may mitigate the risk of depressive symptoms in individuals experiencing CHD. For example, the OR for having depressive symptoms among adolescents with favourable lifestyles compared with those with unfavourable lifestyles was 0.21 (95% CI: 0.10 to 0.45, P < 0.01) among those experiencing CHD. Moreover, adolescents with two or more CHD indicators and unfavourable lifestyles faced the highest risk of having depressive symptoms (OR = 8.03, 95% CI: 4.83 to 13.34, P < 0.01) compared with those with no CHD indicator and favourable lifestyles. ConclusionsThese findings underscore the importance of promoting comprehensive healthy lifestyles and reducing CHD exposure for the prevention of depressive symptoms in adolescents.

Prevalence of child maltreatment in a nationwide sample of 18 to 31 year-olds in Germany

BackgroundChild maltreatment (CM) can have devastating and potentially lifelong effects for those affected and is a major contributor to mental health problems. To tackle public health problems it is crucial to have reliable data on CM. The aim of this study is to assess the prevalence and predictors of CM in a nationwide sample of the German population of young adults.MethodsThe study population (young adults aged 18 to 31 years) stems from the KiGGS Cohort study, the longitudinal branch of the German Health Interview and Examination Survey for children and adolescents. This sample meets the criteria of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) indicator 16.2.3. The data was collected between 2014 and 2017. CM were assessed with the Childhood Trauma Questionnaire (CTQ) in. In addition, socio-demographic variables and other known risk factors for CM were assessed. A total of 6433 (47.8% female) participants were included in the analyses. Binary logistic regression analyses were used to investigate predictors of maltreatment subtypes. Ordinal regression was used to examine their association with experience of multiple forms of CM.ResultsOverall, 18.4% (f: 20.9%, m: 16.1%) of the participants reported having experienced at least one type of CM; 6.7% (f: 8.8%, m: 4.8%) reported experiences of emotional abuse, 3.7% (f: 3.9%, m: 3.5%) physical abuse, 3.5% (f: 5.3%, m: 1.7%) sexual abuse, 9.0% (f: 9.9%, m: 8.2%) emotional neglect and 8.6% (f: 8.5%, m: 8.7%) physical neglect. Gender, subjective social status, education and household dysfunction (e.g. living with an individual who is using substances) emerged as significant predictors for different types of CM. Additionally, all these factors were significant risk factors for experiencing cumulative CM.ConclusionsCM is common in the German population, with almost one in five people experiencing at least one type of CM. The results reveal important risk factors for the occurrence of CM. In particular, people with lower social status and those who grew up in dysfunctional households are at higher risk of CM. Greater support for this vulnerable population may reduce the prevalence of CM.

Positive Childhood Experiences are Associated With Alcohol Use in Adolescent and Emerging Adult Females by Adverse Childhood Experiences Dimension

PurposeExperiencing multiple adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) is associated with alcohol use in female adolescents and emerging adults. Protective and compensatory experiences (PACEs) have been theorized to off-set the health and behavioral consequences from the accumulation of ACEs throughout childhood. This study examines the association between protective experiences and subsequent alcohol and binge alcohol use frequency over one month among female adolescent and emerging adults reporting high and low levels of two ACE dimensions (household dysfunction and emotional abuse/neglect). MethodsOne hundred 43 females between the ages of 15–24 who indicated at least one binge episode in the past two weeks completed the six-item ACEs scale, the PACEs scale, and demographics at baseline. Alcohol consumption was measured prospectively over the next month during weekly appointments using the timeline follow back approach. ResultsTwo PACEs factors had significant direct associations, a source of unconditional love was associated with less frequent alcohol use (β = −0.437, 95% confidence interval [CI] -0.744, −0.131, exp(β) = 0.65, p = .005) in the context of high household dysfunction; and having a trusted adult to count on for help and advice (β = −1.373, 95% CI -2.283, −0.464, exp(β) = 0.25, p = .003) predicted fewer binge occasions in the context of high emotional abuse/neglect. Regardless of ACE dimension exposure, nonsport social group membership was associated more frequent alcohol use over the month across all ACE dimensions (β = 0.11-0.74, 95% CI -0.11, 0.74, exp(β) = 1.37 – 1.62, p ≤ .002); and having a trusted adult to count on for help and advice was associated with a 5.7 times more frequent of alcohol use among those with low household dysfunction (β = 1.74, 95% CI 0.83, 2.65, exp(β) = 5.70, p < .001). DiscussionFew PACE items are associated with direct reductions in alcohol outcomes. Indeed, there is consistently heightened risk associated with nonsport group membership for alcohol use frequency, regardless of experiences of childhood adversity. Future research should identify which protective factors have the most potential to off-set alcohol use by ACE dimension.

Exploring the prevalence of childhood adversity among university students in the United Kingdom: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

The focus of this review was to systematically review and meta-analyse the prevalence of ACEs among university students in the UK. The systematic searching of six electronic databases (conducted February 2024) identified ten relevant articles (peer-reviewed articles of a quantitative nature that included ACE prevalence). PROSPERO reference: CRD42022364799. Pooled prevalence for number of ACEs endured was 55.4% (95% CI: 32.4% - 78.4%; I2 > 99.5%) for one or more, and 31.6% (7.5% - 55.6%; I2 > 99.5%) for three or more. Pooled prevalence was: 15.9% (7.0% - 24.7%; I2 > 94.5%) for physical abuse; 27.0% (18.1% - 35.9%; I2 > 94.5%) for emotional abuse; 12.1% (5.2% - 19.0%; I2 > 94.5%) for sexual abuse; 8.4% (1.7% - 15.1%; I2 > 95.4%) for physical neglect, and 30.0% (21.5% - 38.5%; I2 > 95.4%) for emotional neglect. Pooled prevalence for household dysfunction categories were: 34.4% (22.8% - 46.0%) for parental separation; 18.4% (10.1% - 26.8%) for domestic violence; 35.2% (23.6% - 46.8%) for mental health difficulties; 21.4% (12.9% - 29.9%) for substance use; and 5.7% (2.3% - 9.1%) for incarceration (I2 > 88.8% for all household dysfunction items). Significant heterogeneity was observed between studies for most categories of adversity, and it was not possible to explain/reduce this variance by removing small numbers of influential/discrepant studies. Further analyses suggested potential influences of measurement tool used, country of data collection, and age and sex of participants. Results demonstrate considerable, largely unaccounted-for, heterogeneity in estimates of the prevalence of ACEs, impeding confidence in any summary statistics. Conclusions must be tentative due to analyses being underpowered given small numbers of papers, as well as potential confounds, meaning results may not be truly representative. However, results do suggest high prevalence rates which warrant further investigation, with appropriate support offered to students.

Mitigating rACEsm in K-12 Classrooms: The Consideration of Culturally-Informed Adverse Childhood Experiences and Utilization of Culturally Relevant Education and Systemically Trauma-Informed Practice

Forty-six percent of children in the United States experience a potentially traumatic event (PTE), also known as an Adverse Childhood Experience (or ACE), including abuse (physical, sexual, emotional), neglect, and/or household dysfunction (incarceration of a family member, parental mental illness, divorce, etc.) before their 18th birthday. In the United States, 61% of African-American youth experience at least one ACE (more than any other racial or ethnic group), compared with 40% of White children. A culturally informed conceptualization of the ACEs framework (C-ACEs) that considers the effects of historical trauma, racist social conditions, and race-based biological stress on African-American youth is essential. This is particularly important in K-12 Educational institutions for two reasons: (1) Schools are a major environment in which African-American youth are exposed to racial trauma via teachers, peers, policies, and practices within the school itself; (2) Popularity of the “trauma-informed” movement in schools that overemphasizes and overuses the existing ACEs framework (i.e., a “neoliberal biomedical trauma model”) and does not consider larger systems that cause and perpetuate trauma (p. 105). Further, it is essential to review how school teachers, administrators, and staff can amalgamate Systemically Trauma-Informed Practice (SysTIP) with Culturally Relevant Education (CRE) to increase education equity, reduce the trauma of racism experienced within educational spaces, and help ensure that African-American students succeed academically and personally.

Adverse Childhood Experiences, Household Dysfunction and Cirrhosis

Adverse Childhood Experiences, Household Dysfunction and Cirrhosis

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

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

Pre-pandemic individual and household predictors of caregiver and child COVID-19-related stress in a high-risk sample

BackgroundMany families experienced increased stress during the COVID-19 pandemic and families recently investigated for child maltreatment may have been at particularly high risk. However, little research has focused on pre-pandemic individual and household predictors of COVID-19-related stress among such families who may have been especially vulnerable to the pandemic. ObjectiveThe present study prospectively examined pre-pandemic predictors of caregiver and child COVID-19-related stress in a sample of caregivers and children investigated for child maltreatment prior to the COVID-19 pandemic. ParticipantsParticipants included children (N = 285), ages 8–13, and their caregivers (N = 246) investigated for child maltreatment prior to the COVID-19 pandemic. MethodsMultiple linear regression models were run to separately predict caregiver and child COVID-19-related stress from pre-pandemic household chaos, caregiver and child emotion regulation, caregiver psychological distress, and sociodemographic characteristics. FindingsBlack caregivers and children reported significantly more COVID-19-related stress than White caregivers and children (b = 2.27, p = 0.006 and b = 1.70, p = 0.013, respectively). Hispanic children reported more COVID-19-related stress than non-Hispanic children (b = 2.12, p < 0.001). Caregivers' pre-pandemic psychological distress also predicted their children's COVID-19-related stress (b = 1.80, p = 0.001). Household dysfunction and child and caregiver emotion regulation were unrelated to subsequent COVID-19-related stress (ps > 0.05). ConclusionsThere is a need to support minority families and address mental health concerns to prevent disparate outcomes in the face of stressors.

The contribution of childhood trauma to irritability symptoms

AbstractBackgroundIrritability is a transdiagnostic psychiatric phenotype defined as an increased proneness to anger relative to peers. Trauma is defined as actual or threatened death, serious injury, or sexual violence while adversity more broadly describes difficult or challenging situations including abuse, neglect, and household dysfunction. Irritability [or aggression] is symptom of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and may arise in response to trauma or traumatic events. Responses to negative early life experiences may differ based on the type of exposure, for example, threat (abuse) versus deprivation (neglect), with implications for development of psychopathology. Therefore, the objective of this study was to investigate the relation between exposure to threat and deprivation, and irritability in a predominantly Hispanic/Latin sample. We hypothesized unique effects of threat versus deprivation on irritability.MethodsWe investigated relations between threat and deprivation aspects of childhood trauma (within each dimension) and later irritability in a sample of n = 48 (26F) youth ages 9–19 (Mage = 14.89, SD = 2.04) recruited based on trauma exposure. Multivariate regression tested the unique effects of threat and deprivation (measurement: Childhood Trauma Questionnaire) on irritability (measurement: Affective Reactivity Index).ResultsGreater threat exposure was associated with more severe self‐reported irritability, F(1,46) = 8.64, B = 0.40, R2 = 0.14, p = 0.005. Findings remained significant after controlling for values of excessive influence and the non‐significant effect of gender (B = 0.25, t = 1.88, p = 0.067). When looking at the unique effects of threat adjusted for deprivation, the relation between threat and irritability remained significant, B = 0.35, t = 2.45, p = 0.019. There was no significant association between deprivation and irritability, F(1,46) = 3.35, B = 0.26, R2 = 0.05, p = 0.074.ConclusionsExposure to threat, but not deprivation, may increase risk for irritability in youth. Early life experiences should be considered in assessment and treatment of youth with clinically impairing irritability. Transdiagnostic treatments targeting irritability should be tested for youth with trauma exposure who do not meet criteria for post‐traumatic stress disorder.

Association of adverse childhood experiences with dietary patterns of school-age children: evidence from the birth cohort Generation XXI

BackgroundAdverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) have been associated with health-risk behaviors and several chronic diseases in adulthood. However, the relationship between exposure to ACEs and dietary patterns at school age is unknown. ObjectivesTo investigate the association between ACEs and dietary patterns of 10-year-olds. MethodsThe study included 5034 children from the Generation XXI cohort, recruited in 2005/2006 in Porto, Portugal. ACEs were assessed through a self-administered questionnaire covering the first 10 years (y) of life, quantified and grouped into 5 dimensions: “abuse,” “school problems,” “death/severe disease,” “life changes,” and “household dysfunction.” Dietary patterns were identified by latent class analysis using data collected with a validated food frequency questionnaire. Five dietary patterns were studied: “low consumption,” “energy-dense foods,” “snacking,” “intermediate consumption,” and “healthier” (used as reference). Multinomial regression analyses were conducted, adjusted for the child’s sex, household income, family structure, and mother’s age [odds ratio (OR) and 99% confidence intervals (CIs)]. ResultsMost children were exposed to ≥1 ACE (96%), and ∼27% had reported 6 or more ACEs throughout life. Those reporting 4–5 and ≥6 ACEs were more likely to follow the “Energy-dense foods” dietary pattern compared with those with no ACEs (OR: 2.41; 99% CI: 1.00, 5.77 and OR: 2.65; 99% CI: 1.10, 6.39, respectively). Children exposed to “abuse” in the first 10 y showed 28% higher odds of following the “low consumption” dietary pattern when compared to children with no reported ACEs and using the “healthier” dietary pattern as a reference (OR: 1.28; 99% CI: 1.00, 1.63). ConclusionsExposure to ACEs was associated with less healthy dietary patterns in school-aged children. Results suggest a cumulative effect of the adverse experiences resulting in a dietary pattern higher in energy-dense foods. Children with ACEs reported under the dimension of “abuse” seemed to have reduced food consumption.

Adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) association with Melanoma.

Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) are forms of abuse, neglect, or household dysfunction before the age of 18. We found individuals exposed to ACEs are at increased odds of receiving a melanoma diagnosis. ACEs range from people whose parents divorced in childhood (OR 1.64) to people who were physically hurt by their parents (OR 2.41).