scholarly journals A Semantic Platform for Surveillance of Adverse Childhood Experiences

2019 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
John Hael Simon Brenas ◽  
Eun Kyong Shin ◽  
Arash Shaban-Nejad
Keyword(s):  
Adverse Childhood Experiences ◽  
Allostatic Load ◽  
Data Access ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Verbal Abuse ◽  
The Other ◽  
Snomed Ct ◽  
Childhood Experiences ◽  
Semantic Inference ◽  
Adverse Childhood

ObjectiveWe introduce the Semantic Platform for Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs)Surveillance (SPACES). It facilitates the access to the relevant integrated information, enables discovering the causality pathways and assists researchers, clinicians, public health practitioners, social workers, and health organization in studying the ACEs, identifying the trends, as well as planning and implementing preventive and therapeutic strategies.IntroductionAdverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) have been linked to a variety of detrimental health and social outcomes. In the last 20 years, the association between ACEs with several adult health risk behaviors, conditions, and diseases including suicides, and substance abuse [1], mental health disturbances and impaired memory [2], nervous, endocrine and immune systems impairments [3], and criminal activities [4] have been studied. One of the challenges in studying and timely diagnosis of ACEs is that the links between specific childhood experiences and their health outcomes are not totally clear. Similarly, an integrated dataset builtfrom multiple sources is often required for effective ACEs surveillance. The SPACES project aims at providing a semantic infrastructure to facilitate data sharing and integration and answer causal queries [5] to improve ACEs surveillance.MethodsWe create the ACEs ontology to facilitate the integration of data coming from various distributed sources (e.g. ontologies, databases, surveys, interviews, and literature) and maintain interoperability between the data sources. We re-used some of the existing bio-ontologies in the domain, although they captured the domain’s knowledge in different levels of granularity, e.g., Homeless is defined in SNOMED CT and Medical Dictionary for Regulatory Activities (MedDRA) with different hierarchies, or some related concepts may be disconnected, e.g., SNOMED CT defines Abuse but not Verbal Abuse while MedDRA defines Verbal abuse but not as an Abuse. In order to improve reasoning with the aggregated data, we perform two different kinds of inference. Semantic inference uses the ACEs ontology to creates new conclusions by connecting similar concepts. On the other hand, statistical inference is used to formulate rules that link co-occurring concepts. These two kinds of inference, statistical and semantic, work in tandem and the conclusions from one method can then be used as the basis for the other kind of inference.ResultsThe ACEs Ontology is a unique resource for capturing knowledge in the domain of AdverseChildhood Experiences. The ontology will be openly and freely available via the relevant online community’s portals (e.g. The NCBO BioPortal). The logical validation of the ontology is performed using description logic reasoners. A set of use-case scenarios are designed to demonstrate the feasibility and usability of the ontology for data integration and intelligent query answering.ConclusionsIn this paper, we present the SPACE project that aims to develop a platform to improve adverse childhood experiences surveillance. The tool uses semantic and statistical methods to improve data access, integration, and reasoning.References[1] Vincent J. Felitti, Robert F. Anda, Dale Nordenberg, David F. Williamson, Alison M. Spitz,Valerie Edwards, Mary P. Koss, and James S. Marks. Relationship of childhood abuse and householddysfunction to many of the leading causes of death in adults: The adverse childhood experiences (ace) study. American Journal of Preventive Medicine, 14(4):245–258, 5 1998.[2] Robert F Anda, Vincent J Felitti, J Douglas Bremner, John D Walker, Charles Whitfield, Bruce D Perry, Shanta R Dube, and Wayne H Giles. The enduring effects of abuse and related adverse experiences in childhood: A convergence of evidence from neurobiology and epidemiology. European archives of psychiatry and clinical neuroscience, 256(3):174–186, 04 2006.[3] Andrea Danese and Bruce S. McEwen. Adverse childhood experiences, allostasis, allostatic load, and age-related disease. Physiology & Behavior, 106(1):29 – 39, 2012. Allostasis and Allostatic Load.[4] James Garbarino. Aces in the criminal justice system. Academic Pediatrics, 17(7, Supplement): S32 – S33, 2017. Child Well-Being and Adverse Childhood Experiences in the US.[5] Okhmatovskaia A, Shaban-Nejad A, Lavigne M, Buckeridge DL. Addressing the challenge of encoding causal epidemiological knowledge in formal ontologies: a practical perspective. Stud Health Technol Inform. 2014; 205:1125-9. 

scholarly journals ADVERSE CHILDHOOD EXPERIENCES REPORTED BY CUSTODIAL GRANDMOTHERS AND THEIR ADOLESCENT GRANDCHILDREN

2019 ◽  
Vol 3 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. S283-S283
Author(s):  
Gregory C Smith ◽  
Frank J Infurna ◽  
Britney A Webster ◽  
Megan L Dolbin-MacNab ◽  
Max Crowley ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Adverse Childhood Experiences ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Verbal Abuse ◽  
Physical And Mental Health ◽  
School Problems ◽  
Childhood Experiences ◽  
Standardized Measures ◽  
Adverse Childhood ◽  
Custodial Grandmothers ◽  
Loss Of A Parent

Abstract The Risky Family Model postulates that adverse childhood experiences (ACE) are likely to be encountered across generations within custodial grandfamilies which, in turn, may adversely impact their overall well-being. The present study is a pioneering attempt to examine the patterns of ACEs self-reported by custodial grandmothers (CGM) and adolescent grandchildren (AGC) from the same families, and how their total ACE scores correlate with key physical and mental health outcomes. A total of 129 CGM-ACG dyads recruited for a nationwide RCT study completed separately at baseline the 10-item ACE-CDC and 4 items from the ACE-IQ, as well as various standardized measures of physical and emotional well-being. The most frequent ACEs reported by AGC were loss of a parent (60.5%), verbal abuse (58.1%), bullying by peers (46.5%), and living with someone jailed (45.0%). The predominant ACEs for CGM were bullying by peers (48.8%), verbal abuse (48.1%), living with a mentally ill person (34.1%), being touched sexually (29.5%), and loss of parent (29.5%). Only 10.1% of ACG and 15.5% of CGM reported 0 ACEs, whereas 65.1 % of ACG and 59% of CGM reported > 3 ACEs. For ACG, total ACE scores correlated significantly with externalizing (r=.32) and internalizing (r=.30) difficulties, self-esteem (r= -.28), loneliness (r=.27), school problems (r=.24), and physical health (r= -.26). For CGMs, anxiety (r=.23) and depression (r=.19) only were correlated significantly with total ACEs. We conclude that although both CGM and ACG reported alarmingly high levels of ACEs, different patterns and correlates exist between the generations. [Funded by R01AG054571]

scholarly journals EFFECT OF ADVERSE CHILDHOOD EXPERIENCES ON DAILY SUPPORT TO FAMILY AND EMOTIONAL WELL-BEING IN ADULTHOOD

2019 ◽  
Vol 3 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. S235-S235
Author(s):  
Jooyoung Kong ◽  
Yin Liu ◽  
David Almeida
Keyword(s):  
Negative Affect ◽  
Family Relationships ◽  
Emotional Support ◽  
Adverse Childhood Experiences ◽  
Family Members ◽  
Well Being ◽  
National Study ◽  
Childhood Experiences ◽  
Adverse Childhood ◽  
The Impact

Abstract Extensive evidence suggests that adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) can lead to negative health effects across a lifetime. This study examines the impact of ACEs on the frequency of providing daily support (i.e., unpaid assistance, emotional support, and disability-related assistance) to family members and the moderating effects of ACEs in the association between providing daily support to family and daily negative affect. Using the National Study of Daily Experiences II, we analyzed a total of 14,912 daily interviews from 2,022 respondents aged 56 on average. Key results showed that a greater number of ACEs were associated with providing more frequent emotional support to family. We also found the significant interaction effect that adults with more ACEs showed greater negative affect on the days when they provided assistance to family members with disabilities. The findings underscore the long-term negative impact of ACEs on daily well-being in the context of family relationships.

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

2018 ◽  
Vol 30 (6) ◽  
pp. 582-591 ◽  
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.

Integrative Approaches to Healing

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
E. Hitchcock Scott ◽  
George E. Muñoz
Keyword(s):  
Adverse Childhood Experiences ◽  
Addiction Treatment ◽  
Emotional Health ◽  
Treatment Plan ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Childhood Experiences ◽  
Traditional Concept ◽  
Holistic Treatment ◽  
Adverse Childhood

Emotional balance and stability are important aspects of long-term abstinence from non-prescribed mood altering chemicals. Labiality (extreme mood swings) can contribute to relapse. This chapter challenges the traditional concept of healing, defined as a return to prior levels of functioning. Adverse childhood experiences, with their long-term contribution to adolescent and adult mood problems are noted. Interventions for adverse childhood experiences are recommended as part of the healing journey for emotional wellness. The limitations of traditional addiction treatment are discussed, as well as various possible detractors to good emotional health and sobriety. Interventions, processes, and various counseling theoretical practices are suggested for improving mood, emotional well-being, and sobriety. Ongoing assessment and monitoring of emotional well-being and relapse risk are critical. The quality of the relationship between the practitioner and patient is crucial in order to co-create a viable, individualized, holistic treatment plan.

Adverse Childhood Experiences Among Direct Support Professionals

2018 ◽  
Vol 56 (2) ◽  
pp. 119-132 ◽  
Author(s):  
John M. Keesler
Keyword(s):  
Adverse Childhood Experiences ◽  
Emotional Abuse ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
Adult Life ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Childhood Experiences ◽  
Work Related ◽  
Adverse Childhood ◽  
Direct Support ◽  
Direct Support Professionals

Abstract Direct support professionals (DSPs) provide integral support to many individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD). Yet, individuals' access to qualified DSPs is often compromised as organizations struggle to hire and retain DSPs. Despite a vast body of research exploring factors associated with turnover, adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) among DSPs remain absent from the literature. ACEs encompass abuse and familial dysfunction prior to the age of 18 and, in the general population, have been linked to compromised well-being and work-related challenges in adult life. An online survey was conducted to explore the prevalence of ACE categories and ACE scores (i.e., the sum of each ACE category experienced by a person) among DSPs (n = 386) working in licensed settings. Seventy-five percent of DSPs experienced at least one ACE and 30% had an ACE score of four or more. DSPs who identified as female and those who had been in their position less than one year had significantly higher ACE scores than males and others who had been in their position longer, respectively. In comparison with other studies, the four most common ACE categories among DSPs (i.e., divorce, emotional abuse, mental illness, and substance abuse) were the same, however, DSPs in the present study had a higher average ACE score and nearly twice the percentage of persons having an ACE score of four or more. The potential implications of ACEs among DSPs, at the intersection of their work with individuals with IDD, are discussed.

scholarly journals Socio-Demographic and Environmental Determinants of Adverse Childhood Experience among School-Going Adolescents in Jimma town, Jimma, Southwest Ethiopia

2021 ◽  
Vol 14 (1) ◽  
pp. 62-68
Author(s):  
Mekonnen Tsehay ◽  
Mogesie Necho ◽  
Asmare Belete ◽  
Zelalem Belayneh
Keyword(s):  
Social Support ◽  
Adverse Childhood Experiences ◽  
Associated Factors ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Health Concern ◽  
Adverse Childhood Experience ◽  
Full Potential ◽  
Childhood Experience ◽  
Childhood Experiences ◽  
Adverse Childhood

Introduction: Adverse childhood experience in adolescents is a global public health concern. Several risk factors have been identified so far across different parts of the world. However, there is a paucity of data in Ethiopia. Objective: To determine the prevalence and associated factors of Adverse Childhood Experience among school-going adolescents retrospectively. Methods: A cross-sectional school-based study was employed. Participants were selected using a multistage sampling technique. Adverse Childhood Experience Questionnaire Scale for childhood maltreatment. Multiple linear regressions were used to determine the association between Adverse Childhood Experience & associated factors. Results: A total of 546 adolescents participated in the study with a response rate of 86%. The mean (±SD) age of participants was 16.83 ± 1.26 years. The majority (442 (81%)) were studying in public schools and 104 (19%) in private schools. Results show that 51.1% reported at least one, and respondents most often faced two ACEs (29.4%), and as many as 10.4% reported at least four or more ACEs. According to the three categories of adverse childhood experience (ACE), from 329 female adolescents, 144(43.8%) had been abused physically, verbally, or sexually, 65(17.8%) had been neglected, and 169(51.1%) had been household dysfunctional. And also, from 217 male adolescents, 93(42.9%) had been abused physically, verbally, or sexually, 49(22%) had neglected, and 117(53.9%) had household dysfunction. Gender, social support, residence, educational status of parent, and having one or more chronic medical, mental, or neurological disorders were significantly associated with Adverse Childhood Experiences. Conclusion: Results of the study show that there was a significant prevalence of Adverse Childhood Experiences. Adverse Childhood Experiences have a tremendous impact on future health, well-being, and opportunity. Reduction and prevention of Adverse Childhood Experiences are mandatory for all children to reach their full potential. Those who are already exposed to Adverse Childhood Experiences also need social support, help them manage their experiences, and lead meaningful lives.

scholarly journals A Preliminary Report on Relationship between the Subtypes of Early Life Stressor and Clinical Depression

2021 ◽  
pp. 16-22
Author(s):  
Debolina Chowdhury ◽  
P. S. Patil ◽  
P. B. Behere
Keyword(s):  
Adverse Childhood Experiences ◽  
Preliminary Report ◽  
Rating Scales ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Clinical Depression ◽  
Sample Population ◽  
Childhood Experiences ◽  
Ongoing Research ◽  
Event Scale ◽  
Adverse Childhood

Background: Clinical depression can critically incapacitate one and make one question his self-worth and future. Estimates claim that out of the world’s approximately 7.6 billion population, 264 million people suffer from depression. This study was formulated to contribute data and results of the presence of adverse childhood experiences and its tendency to give rise to clinical depression in adulthood. This article presents data of the first forty cases collected for this study. Method: Data was collected in the Psychiatric OPD of in a rural hospital, Wardha. Patients of major depressive disorder on treatment and who were above 18 years of age and willing to participate in the study were included in the study sample. Adverse Childhood Experiences – International Questionnaire, Presumptive Stressful Life Event Scale and Hamilton Depression Rating Scales were applied to the sample size. Results: Among the forty participants 23 (57%) were female and 17 (42.5%) were male. The samples’ age group was either between 30 to 50 years old (55%). Most of the participants were married (67.5%). 52.5% had been exposed to experiencing violence in the household and 52.5% of the participants experienced violence in the community. 20%participants were found to still low to moderate depression. 60% of the total sample population perceived themselves to be withstanding severe stress in the current day-to-day life. Conclusion: This is a preliminary report to an ongoing research project. We can see glimpses of how exposure to stressors during childhood have the ability to impact a person’s mental well-being decades later.

scholarly journals Building Resilience Through Sport in Young People With Adverse Childhood Experiences

2021 ◽  
Vol 3 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gareth Norris ◽  
Heather Norris
Keyword(s):  
Young People ◽  
Adverse Childhood Experiences ◽  
Behavioural Change ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Childhood Experiences ◽  
Psychological Mechanisms ◽  
Adverse Childhood ◽  
Sporting Activities ◽  
Sport And Exercise ◽  
Review Current

Interventions focused on young people at risk of anti-social and criminal behaviour frequently involve physical exercise and/or participation in sporting activities as a primary vehicle to bring about behavioural change in both the short to medium term. Anecdotal evidence suggests that sporting activities positively influence individual well-being alongside a sense of purpose and belonging centred around sporting clubs and activities. Empirically, participation in sport has been identified as a key resilience factor for young people with numerous Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) and investment and policy initiatives target investment in these opportunities. However, the psychological mechanisms which underpin these improvements in well-being and building of resilience are less clearly articulated. This article will review current and developing research in this field to synthesise future applications of sport-related interventions with young people, with a particular emphasis on furthering understanding of the pathways to capacity building at individual and community level which sport and exercise can generate.

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