An examination of the relationships between professional quality of life, adverse childhood experiences, resilience, and work environment in a sample of human service providers

2015 ◽  
Vol 57 ◽  
pp. 141-148 ◽  
Author(s):  
Amanda R. Hiles Howard ◽  
Sheri Parris ◽  
Jordan S. Hall ◽  
Casey D. Call ◽  
Erin Becker Razuri ◽  
...  
2018 ◽  
Vol 2018 ◽  
pp. 1-15 ◽  
Author(s):  
Amy Chanlongbutra ◽  
Gopal K. Singh ◽  
Curt D. Mueller

Exposure to adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) is associated with increased odds of high‐risk behaviors and adverse health outcomes. This study examined whether ACE exposure among individuals living in rural areas of the United States is associated with adult activity limitations, self‐reported general poor health status, chronic diseases, and poor mental health. Data from the 2011 and 2012 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS) (N=79,810) from nine states were used to calculate the prevalence of ACEs in rural and urban areas. ACE scores were determined by summing 11 survey items. Multiple logistic regression was used to examine the association between ACE scores and health outcomes, including self‐reported general health status, chronic diseases, and health‐related quality of life. Approximately 55.4% of rural respondents aged ≥18 years reported at least one ACE and 14.7% reported experiencing ≥4 ACEs in their childhood, compared to 59.5% of urban residents who reported at least one ACE and 15.5% reporting ≥4 ACEs. After adjusting for sociodemographic covariates, compared to rural respondents who never reported an ACE, rural respondents who experienced ≥1 ACEs had increased odds of reporting fair/poor general health, activity limitations, and heart disease, which is consistent with previous studies. The odds of experiencing a heart attack were higher for rural residents reporting 2 and ≥4 ACEs; the odds of diabetes were higher for those with 3 ACEs; and the odds of ever having asthma or poor mental health was higher for those with ≥3 ACEs. Although individuals in rural areas are less likely to experience ACEs, over half of rural respondents reported experiencing an ACE in childhood. Programs aimed at preventing ACEs, including child maltreatment, can benefit rural areas by reducing adult morbidity and increasing quality of life.


2020 ◽  
Vol 3 (3) ◽  
pp. 24-32
Author(s):  
Yanro Judd C. Ferrer ◽  
Roy Moore

This paper aimed to determine the prevalence of Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) in Payatas, an urban poor community in Quezon City, Philippines. In total, 260 people were surveyed in two areas of Payatas. The results of these surveys were then compared with existing ACE Surveys in other communities. Results found that ACEs were reported at significantly higher levels than in existing surveys, which were typically made of Middle-Class populations. The discrepancy grew at higher ACE Scores. Moderate childhood trauma, ACE Scores of 4 or more, was reported as two to five times more common in our Payatas populations than in the existing survey populations. Severe childhood trauma Scores are less available; however, these trends appear to grow at higher ACE Scores. These results suggest that ACEs are far more common in urban poor communities. That ACE Scores are higher in poorer communities is not a surprising finding. However, the scale of the problem is highly significant. As ACEs are a major root cause of many social problems, including, but not limited to, addiction, teen pregnancy, domestic violence, depression, attempted suicide, and drug abuse, it does indicate a strong area for effective support. The potential for improving the well-being, quality of life, and life expectancy through this framework is large, provided appropriate investment is made in these communities.  


2019 ◽  
Vol 95 ◽  
pp. 104051 ◽  
Author(s):  
Remy M. Vink ◽  
Paula van Dommelen ◽  
Sylvia M. van der Pal ◽  
Iris Eekhout ◽  
Fieke D. Pannebakker ◽  
...  

Circulation ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 142 (Suppl_3) ◽  
Author(s):  
Marshall A Taunton ◽  
Sheldon Levy ◽  
Adrienne H Kovacs ◽  
Abigail M Khan

Introduction: Adverse childhood experiences (ACEs), such as witnessing domestic abuse or experiencing physical/sexual abuse, are associated with poorer long-term health outcomes, including acquired cardiovascular disease. This study offers the first investigation of ACEs in adults with congenital heart disease (CHD). Methods: In this cross-sectional study, adult CHD outpatients completed the ACE Questionnaire, the Relationship Scales Questionnaire, the Perceived Stress Scale, and a 0 - 100 linear analogue scale of quality of life. Total scores on the ACE Questionnaire range from 0 - 10 (a point for each ACE reported) and scores ≥ 4 are associated with poorest health outcomes. We performed correlations, t-tests, and analyses of variance to explore relationships between ACE Questionnaire scores and demographics, medical variables, and other survey scores. Results: A total of 100 patients were enrolled in the study (40 ± 13 years; 60% female). Ninety percent had defects of moderate or great complexity and 79% were categorized as American Heart Association anatomy + physiology stage B, C or D (i.e., some degree of symptoms and/or functional impairment). Total scores on the ACE Questionnaire ranged from 0 - 9, with a mean of 2.6 ± 2.5; 30% reported ≥ 4 ACEs. The most frequently reported ACEs were parental divorce (46%), emotional abuse (42%), and parental substance abuse problem (32%). ACE Questionnaire scores did not differ as a function of age, sex, defect complexity, or anatomy + physiology stage. However, total ACE score was significantly correlated with all 4 relationship styles (secure, preoccupied, dismissive and fearful; p-values < 0.05). Quality of life scores were lower among those with elevated ACEs, although this did not reach statistical significance (69 vs. 76, p = 0.07). Conclusion: It is well accepted that adults with CHD face many health-related challenges throughout their lives. This study serves as an important reminder to providers that many patients will also experience other significant (and potentially traumatic) stressors in childhood. Further research is needed to determine whether the impact of ACEs on adults with CHD extends beyond relationship and stress outcomes and also includes cardiac morbidity and mortality.


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