scholarly journals 1177Lest we lose focus: ongoing analyses of adverse childhood experiences in COVID-19 era

2021 ◽  
Vol 50 (Supplement_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Sangeeta Gupta
Keyword(s):  
Health Outcomes ◽  
Adverse Childhood Experiences ◽  
Access To Health Care ◽  
Negative Impact ◽  
Childhood Adversity ◽  
Behavioral Risk ◽  
Toxic Stress ◽  
Childhood Experiences ◽  
Adverse Health Outcomes ◽  
Adverse Childhood

Abstract Background Toxic stress caused by adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) has been definitively linked to adverse health outcomes across lifespan. Prolonged COVID-19 pandemic stress affecting mental and physical health across the nation, has been postulated to amplify occurrence of ACEs and exacerbate negative health outcomes in this vulnerable population. This study provides a comparison of pre COVID (year 2019) and COVID (year 2020) data on ACE’s and health outcomes. Methods 2019 and 2020 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System data were analyzed to estimate the prevalence of childhood adversity and association with health behaviors and outcomes. Logistic regression was performed using SAS complex survey procedures. Results In 2019, nearly one in four adults reported high ACE scores (≥3). High ACE scores were more prevalent among women, multiracial/minority race groups, bisexual, lesbian/gay sexually oriented, younger age group, adults, less educated, and with lower income. Comparison analyses with 2020 data has begun and is expected to be completed in time for conference presentation. Conclusions Ongoing focus on ACEs mitigation and/or prevention efforts is critical to better health and higher socioeconomic attainment across lifespan. COVID-19 pandemic has escalated and put a spotlight on this call . Adults with preexisting ACEs are especially vulnerable. Compounded toxic stress with limited access to health care can expedite development or worsening of chronic conditions in these susceptible groups. Key messages Targeted efforts to identify and protect at-risk ACEs populations from the negative impact of COVID 19 pandemic are essential.

Systematic Review of Pediatric Health Outcomes Associated with Adverse Childhood Experiences (aces)*

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Debora L. Oh ◽  
Petra Jerman ◽  
Sara Silvério Marques ◽  
Kadiatou Koita ◽  
Allison Ipsen ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Systematic Review ◽  
Health Outcomes ◽  
Adverse Childhood Experiences ◽  
Childhood Experiences ◽  
Pediatric Health ◽  
Adverse Childhood

scholarly journals Adverse childhood experiences and poor birth outcomes in a diverse, low-income sample

2019 ◽  
Vol 19 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Joshua P. Mersky ◽  
ChienTi Plummer Lee
Keyword(s):  
Preterm Birth ◽  
Birth Outcomes ◽  
Low Income ◽  
Adverse Childhood Experiences ◽  
Pregnancy Loss ◽  
Low Birthweight ◽  
Childhood Adversity ◽  
Risk Models ◽  
Childhood Experiences ◽  
Adverse Childhood

Abstract Background Adverse childhood experiences (ACE) are associated with an array of health consequences in later life, but few studies have examined the effects of ACEs on women’s birth outcomes. Methods We analyzed data gathered from a sample of 1848 low-income women who received services from home visiting programs in Wisconsin. Archival program records from a public health database were used to create three birth outcomes reflecting each participant’s reproductive health history: any pregnancy loss; any preterm birth; any low birthweight. Multivariate logistic regressions were performed to test the linear and non-linear effects of ACEs on birth outcomes, controlling for age, race/ethnicity, and education. Results Descriptive analyses showed that 84.4% of women had at least one ACE, and that 68.2% reported multiple ACEs. Multivariate logistic regression analyses showed that cumulative ACE scores were associated with an increased likelihood of pregnancy loss (OR = 1.12; 95% CI = 1.08–1.17), preterm birth (OR = 1.07; 95% CI = 1.01–1.12), and low birthweight (OR = 1.08; 95% CI = 1.03–1.15). Additional analyses revealed that the ACE-birthweight association deviated from a linear, dose-response pattern. Conclusions Findings confirmed that high levels of childhood adversity are associated with poor birth outcomes. Alongside additive risk models, future ACE research should test interactive risk models and causal mechanisms through which childhood adversity compromises reproductive health.

Latent factors of adverse childhood experiences and adult-onset asthma

2020 ◽  
pp. 1-8 ◽  
Author(s):  
Maria B. Ospina ◽  
Jesus A. Serrano-Lomelin ◽  
Sana Amjad ◽  
Anne Hicks ◽  
Gerald F. Giesbrecht
Keyword(s):  
Sexual Abuse ◽  
Factor Analysis ◽  
Logistic Regression ◽  
Home Environment ◽  
Adverse Childhood Experiences ◽  
Negative Impact ◽  
Respiratory Health ◽  
Latent Factors ◽  
Childhood Experiences ◽  
Adverse Childhood

Abstract Asthma is a chronic respiratory disease with complex etiology. Adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) have been linked to asthma in adulthood. Underlying potential mechanisms for the ACE-asthma relationship include stress-induced inflammatory pathways and immune dysregulation. We conducted a cross-sectional secondary data analysis of the 2013 Alberta ACE Survey to explore the relationship between latent ACE factors and self-reported adult asthma. We evaluated the underlying correlation structure among eight different ACEs using exploratory factor analysis. We conducted a logistic regression model to evaluate whether ACE factors retained from the factor analysis predicted self-reported asthma in adulthood. Results were reported as odds ratios (ORs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs). We analyzed ACE survey results from 1207 participants. Factor analysis yielded four ACE latent factors: factor 1/relational violence, factor 2/negative home environment, factor 3/illness at home, and factor 4/sexual abuse. Results of the logistic regression showed that experiencing sexual abuse (OR: 3.23; 95% CI: 1.89, 5.23), relational violence (OR: 1.99; 95% CI: 1.17, 3.38), and being exposed to a negative home environment (OR: 1.86; 95% CI: 1.03, 3.35) were predictive of a diagnosis of asthma in adulthood, whereas living in a household with someone experiencing illness did not show an effect (OR: 1.38; 95% CI: 0.75, 2.56). Factor analysis provides an effectual approach to understand the long-term impact of ACEs on respiratory health. Our findings have important implications to understand the developmental origins of asthma in adulthood and inform interventions aimed at reducing the lasting negative impact of childhood adversities on future respiratory health.

scholarly journals The frequencies and disparities of adverse childhood experiences in the U.S.

2020 ◽  
Vol 20 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Zachary Giano ◽  
Denna L. Wheeler ◽  
Randolph D. Hubach
Keyword(s):  
Educational Attainment ◽  
Childhood Adversity ◽  
Group Differences ◽  
Behavioral Risk ◽  
Childhood Experiences ◽  
Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance ◽  
Risk Factor Surveillance ◽  
Adverse Childhood ◽  
System Data ◽  
At Risk Populations

Abstract Background Adversity experienced during childhood manifests deleteriously across the lifespan. This study provides updated frequency estimates of ACEs using the most comprehensive and geographically diverse sample to date. Methods ACEs data were collected via BRFSS (Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System). Data from a total of 211,376 adults across 34 states were analyzed. The ACEs survey is comprised of 8 domains: physical/emotional/sexual abuse, household mental illness, household substance use, household domestic violence, incarcerated household member, and parental separation/divorce. Frequencies were calculated for each domain and summed to derive mean ACE scores. Findings were weighted and stratified by demographic variables. Group differences were assessed by post-estimation F-tests. Results Most individuals experienced at least one ACE (57.8%) with 21.5% experiencing 3+ ACEs. F-tests showed females had significantly higher ACEs than males (1.64 to 1.46). Multiracial individuals had a significantly higher ACEs (2.39) than all other races/ethnicities, while White individuals had significantly lower mean ACE scores (1.53) than Black (1.66) or Hispanic (1.63) individuals. The 25-to-34 age group had a significantly higher mean ACE score than any other group (1.98). Generally, those with higher income/educational attainment had lower mean ACE scores than those with lower income/educational attainment. Sexual minority individuals had higher ACEs than straight individuals, with significantly higher ACEs in bisexual individuals (3.01). Conclusion Findings highlight that childhood adversity is common across sociodemographic, yet higher in certain categories. Identifying at-risk populations for higher ACEs is essential to improving the health outcomes and attainment across the lifespan.

Including Adverse Childhood Experiences Content in the HBSE Course for BSW Students

2019 ◽  
Vol 24 (1) ◽  
pp. 153-166
Author(s):  
Lisa S. Panisch ◽  
Karen A. Randolph ◽  
Shamra Boel-Studt
Keyword(s):  
Social Work ◽  
Adverse Childhood Experiences ◽  
Childhood Adversity ◽  
Social Work Students ◽  
Childhood Experiences ◽  
Standard Requirement ◽  
Adverse Childhood ◽  
History Of ◽  
Generalist Practice ◽  
Work Education

Adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) negatively affect biopsychosocial development and functioning across the lifespan. Social workers in generalist practice are likely to serve individuals with a history of childhood adversity. Currently, there is no standard requirement for the topic of ACEs to be addressed in baccalaureate social work education. Our teaching note addresses this gap in the curriculum by establishing a need for baccalaureate social work students to receive trauma-specific education early in their academic careers. Human Behavior in the Social Environment is proposed as a course in which this content can be easily incorporated. Recommendations for future directions are provided.

scholarly journals The relationship between childhood adversity and food insecurity: ‘It’s like a bird nesting in your head’

2015 ◽  
Vol 18 (14) ◽  
pp. 2643-2653 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mariana Chilton ◽  
Molly Knowles ◽  
Jenny Rabinowich ◽  
Kimberly T Arnold
Keyword(s):  
Food Security ◽  
Food Insecurity ◽  
Adverse Childhood Experiences ◽  
Emotional Health ◽  
Childhood Adversity ◽  
Household Food Security ◽  
Childhood Experiences ◽  
Household Food ◽  
Adverse Childhood ◽  
The Impact

AbstractObjectiveAdverse childhood experiences, including abuse, neglect and household instability, affect lifelong health and economic potential. The present study investigates how adverse childhood experiences are associated with food insecurity by exploring caregivers’ perceptions of the impact of their childhood adversity on educational attainment, employment and mental health.DesignSemi-structured audio-recorded in-person interviews that included (i) quantitative measures of maternal and child health, adverse childhood experiences (range: 0–10) and food security using the US Household Food Security Survey Module; and (ii) qualitative audio-recorded investigations of experiences with abuse, neglect, violence and hunger over participants’ lifetimes.SettingHouseholds in Philadelphia, PA, USA.SubjectsThirty-one mothers of children <4 years old who reported low or very low household food security.ResultsTwenty-one caregivers (68 %) reported four or more adverse childhood experiences, and this severity was significantly associated with reports of very low food security (Fisher’s exact P=0·021). Mothers reporting emotional and physical abuse were more likely to report very low food security (Fisher’s exact P=0·032). Qualitatively, participants described the impact of childhood adverse experiences with emotional and physical abuse/neglect, and household substance abuse, on their emotional health, school performance and ability to maintain employment. In turn, these experiences negatively affected their ability to protect their children from food insecurity.ConclusionsThe associations between mothers’ adverse experiences in childhood and reports of current household food security should inspire researchers, advocates and policy makers to comprehensively address family hardship through greater attention to the emotional health of caregivers. Programmes meant to address nutritional deprivation and financial hardship should include trauma-informed approaches that integrate behavioural interventions.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document