Association of Adverse Childhood Experiences with Health Risk Behaviors Among College Students in Zambia

Adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) are associated with health-risk behaviors in general samples of adults and adolescents. The current study examined the association between ACEs and these behaviors among a high-risk sample of early adolescents. Five hundred fifteen 9- to 11-year-old children placed in foster care due to maltreatment were interviewed about their engagement in violence, substance use, and delinquency. A multi-informant ACEs score was derived based on exposure to six adverse experiences. Regression analyses examined the relationship between ACEs and risk behaviors and the potential moderating effects of age, sex, and minority status. ACE scores were predictive of risk behaviors after controlling for age, sex, and minority status. Although males and older youth were more likely to engage in risk behaviors, none of the demographic characteristics moderated the ACE-risk behavior association. This study extends previous research by demonstrating an association between ACEs and risk behaviors in extremely vulnerable early adolescents.

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Adverse Childhood Experiences Affect Health Risk Behaviors and Chronic Health of Iowans

Journal of Family Violence ◽

10.1007/s10896-017-9909-4 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 32 (6) ◽

pp. 557-564 ◽

Cited By ~ 9

Author(s):

Jacy C. Downey ◽

Clinton G. Gudmunson ◽

Yuk C. Pang ◽

Kyuho Lee

Keyword(s):

Health Risk ◽

Risk Behaviors ◽

Adverse Childhood Experiences ◽

Health Risk Behaviors ◽

Childhood Experiences ◽

Chronic Health ◽

Adverse Childhood

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Adverse Childhood Experiences, Mental Health, and Risk Behaviors Among Men in the Solomon Islands

Asia Pacific Journal of Public Health ◽

10.1177/1010539518792911 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 30 (6) ◽

pp. 582-591 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Paraniala Silas C. Lui ◽

Michael P. Dunne ◽

Philip Baker ◽

Verzilyn Isom

Keyword(s):

Risk Behaviors ◽

Child Protection ◽

Adverse Childhood Experiences ◽

Solomon Islands ◽

Well Being ◽

Health Risk Behaviors ◽

Asia Pacific ◽

Adult Health ◽

Childhood Experiences ◽

Adverse Childhood

Compared with many parts of the world, there has been little research in Pacific Island nations into the effects of adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) on adult health. This is a significant gap for local evidence-based child protection. We describe findings from a survey of 400 men aged 18 to 70 years recruited from randomly sampled households in Honiara city, Solomon Islands. Most men reported multiple adversities during childhood (80.7% 3 or more; 46% 5 or more), such as exposure to community and domestic violence, bullying, physical maltreatment, and sexual abuse. Men with multiple ACEs had significantly lower well-being and more psychological distress, recent stressful life events, and health risk behaviors. This study reports the first observation that betel quid chewing increased as a function of multiple ACEs. In comparison with recent East Asian studies, the Solomon Islands data suggest that the collective geographic category of “Asia-Pacific” masks significant intraregional differences in childhood adversities.

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Life Span: Childhood/School Age

Encyclopedia of Social Work ◽

10.1093/acrefore/9780199975839.013.584 ◽

2013 ◽

Author(s):

Heather Larkin

Keyword(s):

Social Workers ◽

Risk Behaviors ◽

Adverse Childhood Experiences ◽

Health Risk Behaviors ◽

School Age Children ◽

Developmental Tasks ◽

School Age ◽

Childhood Experiences ◽

Adverse Childhood ◽

The Social

School age children are negotiating numerous developmental tasks across distinct lines of development. Social workers recognize that this development is taking place within the context of culture and systems and are oriented toward assisting the most vulnerable members of society. Adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) are connected to later in life health risk behaviors and serious medical, mental health, and substance abuse problems. The social work profession is poised to work comprehensively in supporting healthy child development and intervening when development has been derailed by ACEs. This builds human capital, which is profitable to society.

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