scholarly journals The interaction of adverse childhood experiences and gender as risk factors for depression and anxiety disorders in US adults: a cross-sectional study

2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Robert C. Whitaker ◽  
Tracy Dearth-Wesley ◽  
Allison N. Herman ◽  
Amy E. Block ◽  
Mary Howard Holderness ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Risk Factors ◽  
Anxiety Disorder ◽  
Adverse Childhood Experiences ◽  
Emotional Abuse ◽  
Short Form ◽  
The United States ◽  
Cross Sectional Survey ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Childhood Experiences ◽  
Adverse Childhood

Abstract Background Exposure to adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) and being female are distinct risk factors for having a major depressive episode (MDE) or an anxiety disorder (AD) in adulthood, but it is unclear whether these two risk factors are synergistic. The purpose of this study was to determine whether exposure to ACEs and being female are more than additive (synergistic) in their association with MDE and AD in US adults. Methods We pooled cross-sectional survey data in the Midlife in the United States study from two nationally-representative cohorts of English-speaking US adults. Data from the first cohort were collected in 2004–2006 and from the second in 2011–2014. Data from both cohorts included the 12-month prevalence of MDE and AD (generalized anxiety disorder or panic disorder) assessed with the Composite International Diagnostic Interview Short Form, gender (here termed female and male), and the count of five categories of exposure to ACEs: physical, sexual, or emotional abuse; household alcohol or substance abuse; and parental separation or divorce. Results Of the 5834 survey respondents, 4344 (74.5%) with complete data on ACEs were included in the analysis. Mean (SD) age was 54.1 (13.8) years and 53.9% were female. The prevalences of MDE, AD, and exposure to 3–5 categories of ACEs were 13.7, 10.0, and 12.5%, respectively. After adjusting for covariates (age, race, and current and childhood socioeconomic disadvantage), for those with both risk factors (female and 3–5 ACEs) the prevalence of MDE was 26.9%. This was 10.2% (95% CI: 1.8, 18.5%) higher than the expected prevalence based on the additive associations of the two risk factors. The adjusted prevalence of AD among females with 3–5 ACEs was 21.9%, which was 11.4% (95% CI: 4.0, 18.9%) higher than the expected prevalence. Conclusions For both MDE and AD, there was synergy between the two risk factors of exposure to ACEs and being female. Identification and treatment of MDE and AD may benefit from understanding the mechanisms involved in the synergistic interaction of gender with ACEs.

scholarly journals Prevalence and Predictors of Adverse Childhood Experiences among Youths in Rural communities of Oyo State, South-west, Nigeria

2020 ◽  
Vol 32 (2) ◽  
pp. 27-41
Author(s):  
M.M. Salawu ◽  
E.T. Owoaje
Keyword(s):  
Rural Communities ◽  
Adverse Childhood Experiences ◽  
Parental Education ◽  
Health Concern ◽  
Cross Sectional Survey ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Childhood Experiences ◽  
South West ◽  
Adverse Childhood ◽  
Physical Neglect

Background: Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) are traumatic events a child is exposed to early in life. It is a global problem that constitutes a public health concern. However, few studies have been conducted on ACEs in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) like Nigeria. This study assessed the prevalence and predictors of ACEs among youths in rural communities in Oyo State, South-west, Nigeria.Methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted among 575 youths selected by multistage sampling technique. A structured interviewer-administered questionnaire was used to obtain information on exposure to ACEs; abuse, neglect and household dysfunctions among respondents. Data were analyzed with SPSS version 21.0. Associations were explored with chi-square test and logistics regression analysis. Level of significance was set at 5%.Results: The mean age (SD) of respondents was 26.3 (4.9) years. Three hundred and forty-two (59.5%) respondents were males, 252 (43.8%) had secondary education and 276 (24.5%) were classified into the lowest wealth quintiles. Most respondents 529 (92%) reported they had experienced ACEs. Most prevalent ACEs were psychological neglect 247 (42.9%), physical neglect 236 (41.0%), psychological abuse 231 (40.2%) and household substance abuse 223 (38.8%). The predictors of experiencing ACEs were having a mother with primary education and below (AOR=2.61; CI=1.383.51) and being in the lowest wealth quintile (AOR=1.53 CI=1.24-2.87).Conclusion: Poor education and poverty contributed to the high occurrence of ACEs among youths in rural south-west. Strategic interventions by government/organizations to improve parental education and ameliorate poverty may be beneficial in reducing ACEs and ensure optimal child development. Keywords: Adverse childhood experiences; Predictors; Youths; Rural; Nigeria

scholarly journals Is exposure to family member incarceration during childhood linked to diabetes in adulthood? Findings from a representative community sample

2020 ◽  
Vol 8 ◽  
pp. 205031212090516
Author(s):  
Bradley A White ◽  
Keri J West ◽  
Esme Fuller-Thomson
Keyword(s):  
Risk Factors ◽  
Health Behaviors ◽  
Family Member ◽  
Adverse Childhood Experiences ◽  
Community Sample ◽  
The United States ◽  
Childhood Experiences ◽  
Adverse Childhood ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
The Impact

Objectives: Diabetes is a prevalent and serious public health problem, particularly among older adults. A robust literature has shown that adverse childhood experiences contribute to the development of health problems in later life, including diabetes. Family member incarceration during childhood is an under-investigated yet increasingly common adverse childhood experience in the United States. The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship between family member incarceration during childhood and diabetes in adulthood, while considering the role of gender as well as the impact of a range of potential confounds. Methods: A large representative community sample of adults aged 40 and older (n = 8790 men, 14,255 women) was drawn from the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System 2012 optional adverse childhood experiences module to investigate the association between family member incarceration during childhood and diabetes. For each gender, nine logistic regression analyses were conducted using distinct clusters of variables (e.g. socioeconomic status and health behaviors). Results: Among males, the odds of diabetes among those exposed to family member incarceration during childhood ranged from 2.00 to 1.59. In the fully adjusted model, they had elevated odds of 1.64 (95% confidence interval = 1.27, 2.11). Among women, the odds of diabetes was much lower, hovering around 1.00. Conclusion: Findings suggest that family member incarceration during childhood is associated with diabetes in men, even after adjusting for a wide range of potential risk factors (e.g. sociodemographics, health behaviors, healthcare access, and childhood risk factors). Future research should explore the mechanisms linking family member incarceration during childhood and long-term negative health outcomes in men.

scholarly journals Health Care Burden and Expenditure Associated with Adverse Childhood Experiences in Tennessee and Virginia

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Glory Okwori ◽  
Steven Stewart ◽  
Megan Quinn ◽  
Delaney Lawson
Keyword(s):  
Risk Factors ◽  
Health Care ◽  
Chronic Diseases ◽  
Adverse Childhood Experiences ◽  
Chronic Obstructive ◽  
Behavioral Risk ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Childhood Experiences ◽  
Adverse Childhood ◽  
Life Years

AbstractTo estimate attributable burden and costs of conditions associated with exposure to Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) in Tennessee (TN) and Virginia (VA) during 2017. This is a cross-sectional study of individuals aged 18+ having exposure to ACEs using Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS) data. Eight chronic diseases (asthma, obesity, hypertension, diabetes, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), depression, cardiovascular disease, and arthritis) and two risk factors (smoking and drinking) associated with ACEs were analyzed. Pearson's chi-square tests analyzed the association between ACEs, risk factors and chronic diseases. The population attributable risks (PAR) were estimated for the ACEs related diseases and risk factors and combined with health care expenses and Disability Adjusted-Life-Years (DALYs). Among those who experienced at least 1 ACE in TN, 10% had COPD, 17% had diabetes, 36% had obesity, and 30% had depression. Individuals who experienced at least 1 ACE in VA had higher percentages for COPD, obesity and depression diseases compared to those who had no ACE (p< .0001). ACEs’ exposure resulted in a burden of about 115,000 years and 127,000 years in terms of DALYs in TN and VA, respectively. The total health spending associated with ACEs based on PARs was about $647 million ($165 per adult) and $942 million ($292 per adult) in TN and VA respectively. The total costs associated with ACEs was about $15.5 billion ($3948) per person) and $20.2 billion ($6288 per person) in TN and VA, respectively. This study emphasizes the need to reduce ACEs due to high health and financial costs.

scholarly journals Adverse Childhood Experiences Predict Common Neurodevelopmental and Behavioral Health Conditions among U.S. Children

Children ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 8 (9) ◽  
pp. 761
Author(s):  
Kasra Zarei ◽  
Guifeng Xu ◽  
Bridget Zimmerman ◽  
Michele Giannotti ◽  
Lane Strathearn
Keyword(s):  
Substance Abuse ◽  
Logistic Regression ◽  
Behavioral Health ◽  
Adverse Childhood Experiences ◽  
Health Conditions ◽  
Cross Sectional Survey ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Childhood Experiences ◽  
Variable Effect ◽  
Adverse Childhood

Objective: Adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) can have a significant but variable effect on childhood neurodevelopment. The purpose of this study was to quantify and compare the associations between “household challenge” ACEs and common childhood neurodevelopmental and behavioral health conditions, using nationally representative U.S. data. Method: This study used data from the 2016–2019 National Survey of Children’s Health, a nationwide, population-based, cross-sectional survey. Seven household challenge ACEs (not including child maltreatment) were reported by parents/guardians: parental death, incarceration, divorce/separation, family violence, mental illness, substance abuse, and poverty. Logistic regression with sample weights was used to estimate the odds ratio (OR) for 15 parent-reported neurodevelopmental and behavioral health conditions, by the number of reported ACEs. A dose-response relationship was examined by applying tests of orthogonal polynomial contrasts to fitted logistic regression models. Results: Down syndrome, Tourette syndrome and cerebral palsy were not associated with household challenge ACEs, whereas behavior/conduct problems, depression, and substance abuse were strongly associated, with adjusted ORs ranging from 6.36 (95% confidence interval (CI) 5.53, 7.32) to 9.19 (95% CI 7.79, 10.84). Other neurodevelopmental conditions not traditionally associated with childhood adversity showed moderate yet robust associations with ACEs, including autism (adjusted OR 2.15, 95% CI 1.64, 2.81), learning disability (adjusted OR 3.26, 95% CI 2.80, 3.80), and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (adjusted OR 3.95, 95% CI 3.44, 4.53). The ORs increased with the number of ACEs, showing significant positive linear trends. Conclusion: We found significant dose-dependent or cumulative associations between ACEs and multiple neurodevelopmental and behavioral conditions.

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