Impact Of Adverse Childhood Experiences Research Articles

Impact of adverse childhood experiences and family resilience on sleep duration in autistic children.

Autistic children are more likely to have sleep difficulties and to experience adverse childhood experiences. Adverse childhood experiences can include parental divorce, bullying, or witnessing violence. We also know that children in families who are resilient (e.g. families who are connected, work together, and help each other) are less impacted by adverse childhood experiences. Our study examined whether there was a relationship between adverse childhood experiences and sleep duration in autistic children. We also wanted to find out whether family resilience protects from the negative impact of adverse childhood experiences on sleep duration. We used data from 3247 parent surveys about their children that we got from the National Survey of Children's Health. We found that children with adverse childhood experiences are more likely to get less sleep. We also found that children with resilient families were more likely to get more sleep. Our results show that family resilience helps weaken the relationship between adverse childhood experiences and sleep, so it is important to help families build resilience.

Supporting Educators and Students: A University–Community Partnership to Implement Trauma-Informed Practices in Schools

AbstractWith the growing recognition of the prevalence and impact of adverse childhood experiences, building trauma-informed service systems is critical. Although there are many online resources to help school systems become more trauma informed, how much they meet the needs of educators is not well understood. To help schools implement trauma-informed practices (TIPS) to support both educators (all school-based certificated staff) and students, a partnership among a California research university, a local foundation, and three school districts was developed at the start of the COVID-19 pandemic. The partnership envisioned a three-phase study to determine the feasibility, acceptability, and outcomes of an intervention supporting TIPS. First, two local districts were engaged in a mixed method needs assessment to explore educators’ wellbeing and use of trauma-informed resources. Input from district-level advisory committees guided a needs assessment that informed the development of trainings to (1) help administrators best support their staff, and (2) teach educators how to best support themselves and their students with traumatic stress and related symptoms. Second, researchers curated freely available resources to develop a 3-module administrator training and an 8-module teacher training. Finally, university-based psychologists and teacher educators delivered the curricula in two school districts and the university’s teacher education program. Researchers implemented a pretest–posttest evaluation design and gathered in-session feedback after each module. Results indicated that participants found the sessions helpful and relevant and they had greater knowledge of TIPS. Future directions include scaling up implementation, understanding outcomes from multiple perspectives, and integrating follow-up activities to help with skill retention.

Unveiling Complexity: Factors Influencing Women’s Involvement in Crime

This research explores various elements that impact and shape women’s the participation of women in criminal activities. Despite the traditional perception that it is men who mainly commit crimes, in recent years, the active role of women in various legal acts has been increasingly recognized. This paper aims to unfold the complex web of influences that shape women’s pathways to criminal behavior, focusing on both individual and social factors. The study focuses on examining socio-economic factors that have a central influence on women’s involvement in crime. Economic inequalities, limited job opportunities and financial struggles often push women into illegal activities to survive or strengthen their economic influences. Additionally, the paper focusses on the effects of educational background, employment status, and income level on women’s susceptibility to criminal temptations, emphasizing the relationship between economic stability and criminal involvement. Moving towards economic dimensions, this study also examines the psychological factors that contribute to women’s participation in crime. Psychological vulnerabilities resulting from trauma, abuse, mental health disorders and substance abuse create pathways to crime. The research paper also examines the impact of adverse childhood experiences, mental health challenges, and criminal trajectories, shedding light on the co-relation between psychological well-being and criminal propensities. Further, familial and social influences are explored to unfold their role in shaping women’s criminal trajectories. Family dysfunction, exposure to criminal role models, and peer pressure can significantly influence an individual’s likelihood of being engaged in criminal activities. This study explores the complexities of family structures, social networks and community environments and highlights their profound influence on the development of women’s perceptions, choices and behaviors related to crime. Moreover, this study also analyzes legal and systematic factors and emphasizes how institutional biases, discriminatory practices and inadequate support systems influence women’s involvement in crime. The paper critically assesses the role of criminal justice systems, law enforcement practices, and access to legal resources in preventing or promoting women’s criminal behavior. Through a combined analysis of these various factors affecting women’s criminality, the study aims to provide a comprehensive understanding of the reasons that affect the women’s involvement in criminal activities. By elucidating these complex factors, policymakers, practitioners, and stakeholders, can develop more targeted interventions, support systems and policies that address the root causes women’s criminal behavior and reduce the risks associated with their involvement in crime.

Adverse Childhood Experiences, Resilience, and Cardiovascular Disease in Adult Survivors of Childhood Cancer: A Report from the Childhood Cancer Survivor Study.

The impact of Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs: e.g., abuse, neglect and/or household dysfunction experienced before age 18) and resilience on risk for cardiovascular disease (CVD) has not previously been investigated in adult survivors of childhood cancer. We conducted a nested case-control study among long-term, adult-aged survivors of childhood cancer from the Childhood Cancer Survivor Study (CCSS). Self-report questionnaires ascertained ACEs and resilience, and scores were compared between cases with serious/life-threatening CVD and controls without CVD matched on demographic and cardiotoxic treatment factors. Among 95 cases and 261 controls, the mean ACE score was 1.4 for both groups; 53.4% of survivors endorsed ≥1 ACE. There was no association between ACEs or resilience and CVD in adjusted models. ACEs and resilience do not appear to contribute to CVD risk for adult survivors of childhood cancer with cardiotoxic treatment exposures. Although not associated with CVD in this population, ACEs are associated with serious health issues in other populations. Therefore, future studies could investigate effects of ACEs on other health outcomes affecting childhood cancer survivors.

Association between adverse childhood experiences and health related quality of life in adult cancer survivors in the United States.

The impact of adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) on health-related quality of life (HRQOL) is increasingly recognized, however, this has not been studied in cancer survivors in the United States. This study investigates if ACEs are associated with HRQOL in cancer survivors. We conducted a cross-sectional analysis of the 2020 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System from states that administered ACEs and Cancer Survivorship modules. Eligibility criteria included being a cancer survivor and not currently receiving cancer treatment. Primary exposure was number of ACEs (categorized as 0, 1-2, 3, or ≥ 4). Primary outcomes were self-reported measures of HRQOL including worse overall health and ≥ 14 unhealthy days (mentally or physically) per month. Mantel-Haenszel stratified analyses were performed and prevalence ratios were adjusted for age. Of 5,780 participants, 62.0% were female and 67.8% were ≥ 65 years. Prevalence of worse overall health was 22.5% for individuals with no ACEs compared to 30.2% for 2-3 ACEs (aPR = 1.4, 95% CI 1.2, 1.5) and 38.5% for ≥ 4 ACEs (aPR = 1.7, 95% CI 1.5, 2.0). Prevalence of ≥ 14 unhealthy days was 18.1% with no ACEs compared to 21.0% for 1 ACE (aPR = 1.3, 95% CI 1, 1.3), 29.0% for 2-3 ACEs (aPR = 1.6, 95% CI 1.4, 1.8), and 44.8% for ≥ 4 ACEs (aPR = 2.2, 95% CI 2.0, 2.5). Our study provides novel evidence of the association of multiple ACEs with higher prevalence of poor HRQOL in cancer survivors. Screening for ACEs is warranted in all patients to guide targeted interventions to improve HRQOL and mitigate the impact of ACEs on HRQoL in cancer survivors.

Understanding the Impact of Adverse Childhood Experiences on Non-suicidal Self-Injury in Youth: A Systematic Review.

Non-suicidal self-injury (NSSI), defined as a deliberate destruction of one's own body without a suicidal intent, is a global public health issue. Adverse childhood events (ACEs) have been shown to be associated with various mental illnesses; however, to date the impact of such events on NSSI in youth has not been reviewed. We conducted a systematic review, searched 5 databases for published articles evaluating ACE and NSSI in youth less than or equal to 21 years of age. After screening 247 articles, we included 21 unique articles in this systematic review. Increasing ACE score, physical, sexual or emotional abuse, parental neglect and substance use, parental separation or dysfunctional family, and death of a close family member had statistically significant correlation with NSSI. Non-suicidal self-injury is an impairing diagnosis with far reaching psychiatric manifestations and repercussions. Practitioners having high clinical suspicion for ACEs in youth with NSSI must intervene early by administering the ACEs questionnaire. Effective treatment of NSSI in those with ACEs with psychotherapy significantly improves outcomes and prevents suicide in youth.

Cross-sectional study on the impact of adverse childhood experiences on coronary flow reserve in male physicians with and without occupational burnout

ObjectivePhysicians face documented challenges to their mental and physical well-being, particularly in the forms of occupational burnout and cardiovascular disease. This study examined the previously under-researched intersection of early life stressors, prolonged occupational stress, and cardiovascular health in physicians. MethodsParticipants were 60 practicing male physicians, 30 with clinical burnout, defined by the Maslach Burnout Inventory, and 30 non-burnout controls. They completed the Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACE) Questionnaire asking about abuse, neglect and household dysfunctions before the age of 18, and the Perceived Stress Scale to rate thoughts and feelings about stress in the past month. Endothelium-independent (adenosine challenge) coronary flow reserve (CFR) and endothelium-dependent CFR (cold pressor test) were assessed by positron emission tomography-computed tomography. The segment stenosis score was determined by coronary computed tomography angiography. ResultsTwenty-six (43%) participants reported at least one ACE and five (8%) reported ≥4 ACEs. A higher ACEs sum score was associated with lower endothelium-independent CFR (r partial (rp) = −0.347, p = .01) and endothelium-dependent CFR (rp = −0.278, p = .04), adjusting for age, body mass index, perceived stress and segment stenosis score. In exploratory analyses, participants with ≥4 ACEs had lower endothelium-independent CFR (rp = −0.419, p = .001) and endothelium-dependent CFR (rp = −0.278, p = .04), than those with <4 ACEs. Endothelium-dependent CFR was higher in physicians with burnout than in controls (rp = 0.277, p = .04). No significant interaction emerged between burnout and ACEs for CFR. ConclusionThe findings suggest an independent association between ACEs and CFR in male physicians and emphasize the nuanced relationship between early life stressors, professional stress, and cardiovascular health.

The impact of adverse childhood experiences on mental health, sexual risk behaviors, and alcohol consumption in adulthood.

The purpose of the study was to determine how Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACE) relate to adulthood flourishing, symptoms of depression, anxiety, somatization, self-reported health, sexual risk behaviors, and alcohol consumption. A quantitative cross-sectional methodology was used. A total of 452 adults completed the survey. The most prevalent ACE include physical abuse (44.69%), separation/divorce of parents (41.81%), living with someone with alcohol problems (39.38%), and being sworn, insulted, or humiliated by adults at home (35.62%). Almost one out of every four respondents (24.34%) reported being touched by an adult, 17.92% reported that an adult tried to manipulate the respondent into touching them, and 8.19% were forced to have sexual intercourse. Results indicate that women reported a higher number of ACE than men. The number of ACE is inversely related to flourishing and self-reported health; while being positively associated with participant's scores in depression, anxiety, somatization, sexual risk behaviors, and alcohol use. The regression model, including the eleven ACE and respondents' sex and age, achieved medium effect sizes for somatization, depression, and anxiety symptoms and small effect sizes for flourishing, self-reported health, sexual risk behaviors, and alcohol consumption. Specific ACE have a particularly significant negative impact on mental health outcomes: forced intercourse, witnessing familial violence, verbal humiliation, and living with individuals struggling with mental health issues and drug consumption or who were incarcerated. In conclusion, the study highlights the alarming prevalence of ACE among the Honduran population and their significant negative impact on mental health outcomes during adulthood.

Adverse Childhood Experiences, Religious Coping, and Congregational Support among Black Clergy and Religious Leaders

Limited studies have empirically investigated the impact of adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) among Black clergy and religious leaders despite their status as helping professionals who are implicated in times of crisis. In light of cultural considerations that position African American churches as trusted institutions linking local communities of color with various social services, African American religious leaders are particularly implicated during crisis situations such as the COVID-19 pandemic. Accordingly, the present study investigates the relationships between adverse childhood experiences, religious coping, and social support from one’s congregation among a sample of Black religious leaders within Christian churches. Compared to a national sample of Black Americans, we observed significantly higher prevalence rates for four forms of adverse childhood experiences: emotional neglect, parental separation or divorce, mental illness in the household, and an incarcerated family member. The results from two moderated moderation statistical models indicated that higher adverse childhood experiences predicted greater endorsement of PTSD symptoms and that negative religious coping strengthened this relationship. Furthermore, this moderation effect was itself moderated by greater perceived emotional support from one’s congregation, such that greater support mitigated this moderation effect. Conversely, we also found that positive religious coping has the potential to compensate for the lack of emotional support from the congregation. Implications for caring for clergy and religious leaders both within the church and in seminaries are provided.

Experiences of young people growing up in a family with Huntington's disease: A meta-ethnography of qualitative research.

Huntington's disease is a genetic neurodegenerative condition with wide physical and psychological impacts. Children of a parent with the condition have a 50% chance of carrying the gene expansion and developing the condition themselves. This systematic review and meta-ethnography presents a synthesis of the qualitative research on the experiences of young people growing up in a family with Huntington's disease. The MEDLINE, PsycINFO, and CINAHL databases were systematically searched, and 13 papers met the inclusion criteria. Through the process of meta-ethnography, four themes were identified highlighting aspects of childhood that were stolen and fought for: thief of relationships, thief of self, thief of transparency, and search for reclamation. Within the themes, the complex challenges young people faced when growing up in a HD family were explored such as the impact of adverse childhood experiences and the possible effects of HD on attachment and social relationships. Clinical implications are considered, and recommendations are made for future research.

The Impact of Adverse Childhood Experiences on Educational Outcomes in Adolescents

This paper's purpose is to review past literature on the effect of adverse childhood experiences on the educational outcomes of adolescent learners. Over the past few years, literature pieces through various researchers and writers have identified the great need to sensitize the reasons for the outcomes that adolescents get when they go through school. Most researchers have also focused on the possible solutions that could be used in addressing adolescents' different needs and challenges. One of the challenges that most researchers still need to identify is the early childhood experiences that adolescents go through even before they get to school. In this study, the researcher discussed academic effects related to early childhood adverse experiences. The family background and the different environmental issues that affect the mental state of adolescents as they grow up have been identified in this study as contributing factors to the adverse effects that lead to poor educational outcomes among adolescent learners. In addition, this study has found that adverse childhood experiences affect the students' learning outcomes by impacting different elements of the academic life of the learners. It influences the academic engagement of the learners, their level of achievement, and attendance to their studies in schools.

Co-design and evaluation of a youth-informed organisational tool to enhance trauma-informed practices in the UK public sector: a study protocol

IntroductionA trauma-informed approach (TIA) means working with awareness that people’s histories of trauma may shape the way they engage with services, organisations or institutions. Young people with adverse childhood experiences...

The Impact of Adverse Childhood Experiences on Symptom and Performance Validity Tests Among a Multiracial Sample Presenting for ADHD Evaluation.

Adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) are commonly reported in individuals presenting for attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) evaluation. Performance validity tests (PVTs) and symptom validity tests (SVTs) are essential to ADHD evaluations in young adults, but extant research suggests that those who report ACEs may be inaccurately classified as invalid on these measures. The current study aimed to assess the degree to which ACE exposure differentiated PVT and SVT performance and ADHD symptom reporting in a multi-racial sample of adults presenting for ADHD evaluation. This study included 170 adults referred for outpatient neuropsychological ADHD evaluation who completed the ACE Checklist and a neurocognitive battery that included multiple PVTs and SVTs. Analysis of variance was used to examine differences in PVT and SVT performance among those with high (≥4) and low (≤3) reported ACEs. Main effects of the ACE group were observed, such that high ACE group reporting demonstrated higher scores on SVTs assessing ADHD symptom over-reporting and infrequent psychiatric and somatic symptoms on the Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory-2-Restructured Form. Conversely, no significant differences emerged in total PVT failures across ACE groups. Those with high ACE exposure were more likely to have higher scores on SVTs assessing over-reporting and infrequent responses. In contrast, ACE exposure did not affect PVT performance. Thus, ACE exposure should be considered specifically when evaluating SVT performance in the context of ADHD evaluations, and more work is needed to understand factors that contribute to different patterns of symptom reporting as a function of ACE exposure.

Associations between adverse childhood experiences and history of weight cycling.

Adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) predict obesity onset; however, the relationship between ACEs and history of weight cycling has not been adequately explored. This gap is problematic given the difficulty in weight loss maintenance and the impact of ACEs on obesity development, chronicity, and associated weight stigma. The objective of this study was to examine associations between self-reported history of ACEs and weight cycling in a sample of weight loss treatment-seeking adults with overweight/obesity. The number of participants in the analyzed sample was 78, mostly white educated adult women (80% female, 81% Caucasian, 75%≥bachelor's degree) with excess adiposity enrolled in the Cognitive and Self-regulatory Mechanisms of Obesity Study. ACEs were measured at baseline using the ACEs Scale. History of weight cycling was measured using the Weight and Lifestyle Inventory that documented weight loss(es) of 10 or more pounds. Higher ACE scores were associated with a greater likelihood of reporting a history of weight cycling. Participants with four or more ACEs had 8 times higher odds (OR=8.301, 95% CI=2.271-54.209, p=0.027) of reporting weight cycling compared with participants with no ACEs. The association of weight cycling for those who endorsed one to three ACEs was not significant (OR=2.3, 95% CI=0.771-6.857, p=0.135) in this sample. The role of ACEs in health may be related to associations with weight cycling. Results indicated that those who reported four or more ACEs had significantly higher odds of reporting weight cycling compared with those with no ACEs. Further research is needed to further explore how ACEs predict the likelihood of weight cycling, which may be prognostic for sustained weight loss treatment response and weight stigma impacts.

The impact of adverse childhood experiences on depression in middle and late life: A national longitudinal study

BackgroundAdverse childhood experiences (ACEs) are one of the causes of depression in middle-aged and older adults, but the combined effects of ACEs, cognitive function and ability to perform activities of daily living (ADL) on depression have not been fully explored. MethodsThis study was based on data from 4 waves (2013, 2014, 2015 and 2018) of data from the China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study, including 10,995 middle-aged and older adults. ACEs were derived from the 2014 self-report life history module. A latent variable growth curve model was used to assess the mediating effect of cognitive function and ability to perform ADL in the relationship between ACEs and depression. ResultsACEs were significantly associated with lower initial cognitive status (β = −0.156, P < .001), worse ability to perform ADL (β = 0.051, P < .001) and higher severity of depression (β = 0.228, P < .001). The results of mediation analysis indicated that the association between ACEs and the intercept of depression was partly mediated by the initial level of cognitive function and ADL, and the association between ACEs and the slope of depression was total mediated by cognitive (intercept and slope) and ADL (intercept and slope). ConclusionsACEs were associated with higher severity of depression in part due to lower cognitive function and worse ability to perform ADL. Interventions that focus on reducing ACEs and improving cognitive level and ability to perform ADL may effectively reduce the incidence of depression among middle-aged and older individuals.

The Impact of Adverse Childhood Experiences on College Student Stress and Well-being

This quantitative study explored the relationship between adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) and college student stress and well-being, including the impacts of gender identity and sexual orientation. Participants were undergraduate students ( n = 760) who answered survey questions related to stress, well-being, and ACEs as part of a larger campus climate survey. Researchers found that number of ACEs and gender identity/sexual orientation were independently associated with stress. Having more ACEs was significantly associated with higher stress scores. LGBTQ + participants had the highest stress scores, followed by cisgender heterosexual women and cisgender heterosexual men. Well-being was not significantly associated with ACEs or gender identity/sexual orientation. Results of the study have implications for college student retention. The high prevalence of ACEs and stress indicates the need for services that help students manage stress and increase well-being to improve their ability to persist and succeed in college.

Adverse Childhood Experiences and Illegal Drug Use Among College Students: Findings from a French Sample.

While studies have demonstrated the negative impact of adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) on lifelong health, less is known about the relationship between ACEs and illegal drug use. Thus, the objective of the study was to examine the relationship between ACEs and illegal drug use among college students. French college students between 18 and 30 years enrolled in a university cohort study were eligible for inclusion. Multivariate logistic regression models were conducted for each drug. Among the sample (n = 1,157), 30.6% had no ACE exposure, 29.6%, 19.2%, and 20.7% had 1, 2 and ≥ 3 ACEs, respectively. Students with ACEs had a higher likelihood of using illegal drugs (p = 0.0067). After controlling for potential confounders, having ≥ 3 ACEs increased the risk of lifetime use of multiple drugs (aOR:10.9; 95% CI: 4.6-26.0), stimulants (aOR: 3.6; 95% CI:1.7-7.7), hallucinogens (aOR: 2.0; 95% CI: 1.1-3.5), cannabis (aOR: 4.7; 95% CI: 2.7-8.0), and risky illegal drugs (e.g., higher lifetime frequency drug use) (aOR: 2.9; 95% CI: 1.5-5.8). Estimates for illegal drug use were highest with parental substance use (aOR: 2.6; 95% CI; 1.5-4.4), sexual abuse (aOR: 2.3; 95% CI; 1.4-3.8), and divorce (aOR: 1.9; 95% CI: 1.3-2.7). ACEs increase the risk for lifetime illegal drug use and risky drug use in a dose-respondent fashion. These findings suggest that university students with higher levels of ACEs may benefit from additional support and services from clinical practitioners and university administrators.

Parents’ adverse childhood experiences matter too: The impact of multigenerational trauma on participation in early childhood education for Latinx children

Childhood trauma impacts most children in the United States, with exposure to adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) like abuse, neglect, or witnessing violence linked to negative outcomes across the lifespan. Early childhood education (ECE) programs, such as therapeutic preschools, that utilize two-generation approaches to services have demonstrated proven benefits for children with trauma exposure; however, less is known about the impact of ACEs on early childhood program engagement and retention. The current study, set in a two-generation therapeutic preschool program, examined 173 pairs of primarily Latinx parents and children to understand in what ways parent and child ACEs, coupled with family contextual risks like homelessness and child welfare involvement, impact program engagement for children with trauma histories. Results indicate that children whose parents had an elevated ACE score (four or more trauma experiences) were more likely to terminate ECE participation early compared to children whose parents had less cumulative trauma. Families with parents and children who both had high ACEs were over six times more likely to terminate program participation early. However, once accounting for early termination, ACEs had minimal impact on ECE engagement. These findings highlight the need for ECE programs to consider the whole family at entry and target early retention efforts towards families with greater cumulative trauma histories.

The Impact of Adverse Childhood Experiences for Older Transgender Adults on Chronic Disease and Health Behaviors

The Impact of Adverse Childhood Experiences for Older Transgender Adults on Chronic Disease and Health Behaviors

Impact of Adverse Childhood Experiences on Health-Related Outcomes in Adults: Potential Implications for Perioperative Anesthetic Management

Impact of Adverse Childhood Experiences on Health-Related Outcomes in Adults: Potential Implications for Perioperative Anesthetic Management