scholarly journals The Clustering of Adverse Childhood Experiences in the Avon Longitudinal Study of Parents and Children: Are Gender and Poverty Important?

2020 ◽  
pp. 088626052093509 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rebecca E. Lacey ◽  
Laura D. Howe ◽  
Michelle Kelly-Irving ◽  
Mel Bartley ◽  
Yvonne Kelly
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Mental Health Problems ◽  
Health Problems ◽  
Parental Mental Health ◽  
Childhood Experiences ◽  
Close Family Member ◽  
Parents And Children ◽  
Adverse Childhood ◽  
Avon Longitudinal Study ◽  
Close Family

Previous research has demonstrated a graded relationship between the number of Adverse Childhood Experiences reported (an ACE score) and child outcomes. However, ACE scores lack specificity and ignore the patterning of adversities, which are informative for interventions. The aim of the present study was to explore the clustering of ACEs and whether this clustering differs by gender or is predicted by poverty. Data on 8,572 participants of the Avon Longitudinal Study of Parents and Children (ALSPAC) were used. ALSPAC is a regionally representative prenatal cohort of children born between 1991 and 1992 in the Avon region of South-West England. ACEs included parental divorce, death of a close family member, interparental violence, parental mental health problems, parental alcohol misuse, parental drug use, parental convictions, and sexual, emotional, and physical abuse, between birth and 19 years. Latent class analysis was used to derive ACE clusters and associations between poverty, gender, and the derived classes tested using multinomial logistic regression. Five latent classes were identified: “Low ACEs” (55%), “Parental separation and mother’s mental health problems” (18%), “Parental mental health problems, convictions and separation” (15%), “Abuse and mental health problems” (6%), and “Poly adversity” (6%). Death of a close family member and sexual abuse did not cluster with other adversities. The clustering did not differ by gender. Poverty was strongly related to both individual ACEs and clusters. These findings demonstrate that ACEs cluster in specific patterns and that poverty is strongly related to this. Therefore, reducing child poverty might be one strategy for reducing ACEs.

scholarly journals The Long-Term Impact of Parental Mental Health on Children’s Distress Trajectories in Adulthood

2020 ◽  
pp. 215686932091252
Author(s):  
Christina Kamis
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Mental Health Problems ◽  
Panel Study ◽  
Health Problems ◽  
Poor Mental Health ◽  
Parental Mental Health ◽  
Childhood Experiences ◽  
Health Trajectories ◽  
Long Term Impact

Using six waves of data from the Panel Study of Income Dynamics (2007-2017) and the Childhood Retrospective Circumstances Study (2014) (N = 3,240), this paper estimates how childhood experiences with parental mental health problems shape trajectories of children’s distress in adulthood. Findings indicate that those who experience poor parental mental health have consistently greater distress than their non-exposed counterparts throughout adulthood. More severe and longer exposures to parental mental health problems correspond to even greater distress in adulthood. The gender of the parent afflicted does not predict differences in adult mental health, but those individuals exposed to both maternal and paternal poor mental health have the greatest distress in adulthood. Together, results suggest that parental mental health during children’s formative years is a significant predictor of life course distress and that heterogeneity in this experience corresponds to unique mental health trajectories.

scholarly journals Epigenetic profiling of social communication trajectories and co-occurring mental health problems: a prospective, methylome-wide association study

2021 ◽  
pp. 1-10
Author(s):  
Jolien Rijlaarsdam ◽  
Charlotte A. M. Cecil ◽  
Caroline L. Relton ◽  
Edward D. Barker
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Social Communication ◽  
Mental Health Problems ◽  
Health Problems ◽  
Communication Deficits ◽  
False Discovery ◽  
Parents And Children ◽  
Genetic And Environmental Factors ◽  
Using Data ◽  
Avon Longitudinal Study

Abstract While previous studies suggest that both genetic and environmental factors play an important role in the development of autism-related traits, little is known about potential biological mechanisms underlying these associations. Using data from the Avon Longitudinal Study of Parents and Children (ALSPAC), we examined prospective associations between DNA methylation (DNAm: nbirth = 804, nage 7 = 877) and trajectories of social communication deficits at age 8–17 years. Methylomic variation at three loci across the genome (false discovery rate = 0.048) differentiated children following high (n = 80) versus low (n = 724) trajectories of social communication deficits. This differential DNAm was specific to the neonatal period and not observed at 7 years of age. Associations between DNAm and trajectory membership remained robust after controlling for co-occurring mental health problems (i.e., hyperactivity/inattention, conduct problems). The three loci identified at birth were not replicated in the Generation R Study. However, to the best of our knowledge, ALSPAC is the only study to date that is prospective enough to examine DNAm in relation to longitudinal trajectories of social communication deficits from childhood to adolescence. Although the present findings might point to potentially novel sites that differentiate between a high versus low trajectory of social communication deficits, the results should be considered tentative until further replicated.

scholarly journals Exploring the health and service utilisation of general practice patients with a history of adverse childhood experiences (ACEs): an observational study using electronic health records

BMJ Open ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (9) ◽  
pp. e036239
Author(s):  
Katie Hardcastle ◽  
Mark A Bellis ◽  
Catherine A Sharp ◽  
Karen Hughes
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Health Service ◽  
Adverse Childhood Experiences ◽  
Mental Health Problems ◽  
Health Problems ◽  
Service Utilisation ◽  
Health Records ◽  
Childhood Experiences ◽  
Adverse Childhood ◽  
History Of

ObjectivesTo examine the relationships between adverse childhood experiences (ACEs), chronic health and health service utilisation among a sample of general practice patients.DesignCross-sectional observational study using anonymised data from electronic health records for 763 patients.SettingFour general practices in northwest England and North Wales.Outcome measuresPatient demographic data (age, gender); body mass index; self-reported smoking status; self-reported ACEs; diagnosis of chronic health conditions; current mental health problems; total number of service contacts and repeat medication use in the previous 6 months.ResultsA history of ACEs (experiencing abuse or neglect as a child, and/or growing up in a household characterised by violence, substance use, mental health problems or criminal behaviour) was strongly independently associated with current mental health problems, smoking and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, showing a dose–response relationship with level of ACE exposure. Medication use and contact were significantly greater among patients with high ACE exposure (≥4 ACEs), compared with those with no ACEs. However, contrary to findings from population studies, health service utilisation was not significantly different for patients with increased ACE exposure (1–3 ACEs) and their ACE-free counterparts.ConclusionsFindings highlight the contribution ACEs make to unequal distributions of risk to health and well-being and patterns of health service use in the UK.

scholarly journals Prevalence and correlates of common mental health problems and recent suicidal thoughts and behaviours among female sex workers in Nairobi, Kenya

2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Alicja Beksinska ◽  
Zaina Jama ◽  
Rhoda Kabuti ◽  
Mary Kungu ◽  
Hellen Babu ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Sex Workers ◽  
Mental Health Problems ◽  
Health Problems ◽  
Poor Mental Health ◽  
Suicidal Thoughts ◽  
Childhood Experiences ◽  
Harmful Alcohol ◽  
Adverse Childhood ◽  
Common Mental Health Problems

Abstract Background Adverse childhood experiences (ACEs), poverty, violence and harmful alcohol/substance use are associated with poor mental health outcomes, but few studies have examined these risks among Female Sex Workers (FSWs). We examine the prevalence and correlates of common mental health problems including suicidal thoughts and behaviours among FSWs in Kenya. Methods Maisha Fiti is a longitudinal study among FSWs randomly selected from Sex Worker Outreach Programme (SWOP) clinics across Nairobi. Baseline behavioural-biological survey (n = 1003) data were collected June–December 2019. Mental health problems were assessed using the Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9) for depression, the Generalised Anxiety Disorder tool (GAD-7) for anxiety, the Harvard Trauma Questionnaire (HTQ-17) for Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and a two-item tool to measure recent suicidal thoughts/behaviours. Other measurement tools included the WHO Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACE) score, WHO Violence Against Women questionnaire, and the Alcohol, Smoking and Substance Involvement Screening Test (ASSIST). Descriptive statistics and multivariable logistic regression were conducted using a hierarchical modelling approach. Results Of 1039 eligible FSWs, 1003 FSWs participated in the study (response rate: 96%) with mean age 33.7 years. The prevalence of moderate/severe depression was 23.2%, moderate/severe anxiety 11.0%, PTSD 14.0% and recent suicidal thoughts/behaviours 10.2% (2.6% suicide attempt, 10.0% suicidal thoughts). Depression, anxiety, PTSD and recent suicidal thoughts/behaviours were all independently associated with higher ACE scores, recent hunger (missed a meal in last week due to financial difficulties), recent sexual/physical violence and increased harmful alcohol/substance. PTSD was additionally associated with increased chlamydia prevalence and recent suicidal thoughts/behaviours with low education and low socio-economic status. Mental health problems were less prevalent among women reporting social support. Conclusions The high burden of mental health problems indicates a need for accessible services tailored for FSWs alongside structural interventions addressing poverty, harmful alcohol/substance use and violence. Given the high rates of ACEs, early childhood and family interventions should be considered to prevent poor mental health outcomes.

scholarly journals Parental Mental Health Problems and the Risk of Child Maltreatment: The Potential Role of Psychotherapy

Societies ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (3) ◽  
pp. 108
Author(s):  
Ana Isabel Lopes ◽  
João Leal ◽  
Ana Isabel Sani
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Child Maltreatment ◽  
Mental Health Problems ◽  
Health Problems ◽  
Parental Mental Health ◽  
Emotion Focused Therapy ◽  
Effective Interventions ◽  
Parents And Children ◽  
Interpersonal Difficulties

Parental mental health is a risk factor for numerous issues affecting a child’s physical and psychological development, especially the perpetration of child maltreatment. This paper aims to contribute a theoretical review of the risks faced by some children living in families with parental mental health problems and argues that psychotherapy has an essential role in resolving emotional and interpersonal difficulties, based on the example of Emotion Focused Therapy (EFT). This model has revealed benefits in interventions with several types of patients and is consequently a promising model for preventing the risk of aggressive behaviors. The programs addressing both parents and children have been proven to contribute to more informed and effective interventions.

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