Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Hunter A. Hahn, John R. Blosnich
Summary: Adverse childhood experiences are more likely to be reported by lesbian, gay, bisexual, and queer veterans compared with non-lesbian, gay, bisexual, and queer veterans. These experiences include living with someone who has mental illness, emotional abuse, and sexual abuse.
AMERICAN JOURNAL OF PREVENTIVE MEDICINE
(2023)
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Zulfiqar A. Bhutta, Supriya Bhavnani, Theresa S. Betancourt, Mark Tomlinson, Vikram Patel
Summary: With the sustainable development goals, global child health has shifted focus from reducing mortality to improving health, nutrition, and development outcomes, which are measured as human capital. Adverse childhood experiences (ACEs), which include environmental exposures, have been found to have negative consequences on health and development. These effects can be magnified, especially during critical periods of sensitivity and developmental plasticity, and are exacerbated by global threats like climate change and conflict. This review explores the mechanisms linking ACEs to health outcomes and discusses strategies for prevention and mitigation, with a focus on low- and middle-income countries.
Review
Behavioral Sciences
Sabine Finlay, Cody Roth, Tiansha Zimsen, Zoltan Sarnyai, Brett McDermott, Tahnee Lee Bridson
Summary: This study systematically reviewed the association between Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) and Allostatic Load (AL), finding that ACEs are associated with elevated AL and poorer health outcomes in adulthood. Furthermore, health risk behaviors, social support, and coping resources moderate or mediate this association.
NEUROSCIENCE AND BIOBEHAVIORAL REVIEWS
(2022)
Article
Pediatrics
Marci Hertz, Melissa Heim Viox, Greta M. Massetti, Kayla N. Anderson, Sarah Bacon, Erin Fordyce, Melissa C. Mercado, Jorge V. Verlenden
Summary: This national, longitudinal survey examined adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) among US adolescents during the COVID-19 pandemic. The study found that adolescents with more ACEs at Wave 1 were more likely to experience additional ACEs at Wave 2.
Article
Psychology, Multidisciplinary
Joy D. Osofsky, Howard J. Osofsky, Andrew L. Frazer, Margaret A. Fields-Olivieri, Michele Many, Marian Selby, Stacey Holman, Erich Conrad
Summary: The Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) study has shown a connection between childhood abuse, neglect, and family dysfunction to later physical and mental health issues. Pregnant women who report ACEs may be at risk for mental health and substance use problems, and the study examined the association of these experiences with symptoms of depression, anxiety, posttraumatic stress, and substance use, while also exploring the buffering effect of women's resilience. Resilience was found to mitigate the negative effects of ACEs on mental health and substance use, highlighting the importance of addressing childhood experiences during the perinatal period.
AMERICAN PSYCHOLOGIST
(2021)
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Phillip W. Schnarrs, Armin A. Dorri, R. Andrew Yockey, Amy L. Stone, Stephen T. Russell, Joshua G. Rosenberger
Summary: This study examines the impact of sexual and gender minority (SGM) adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) on adult mental health through an online survey. The results show that SGM ACEs commonly and frequently occur before adulthood and are associated with anxiety, depression, and post-traumatic stress disorder. The study also validates the reliability and validity of the measurement tool and suggests integrating SGM ACEs with Minority Stress Theory in future research.
AMERICAN JOURNAL OF PREVENTIVE MEDICINE
(2023)
Article
Medicine, General & Internal
Emily Lowthian, Rebecca Anthony, Annette Evans, Rhian Daniel, Sara Long, Amrita Bandyopadhyay, Ann John, Mark A. Bellis, Shantini Paranjothy
Summary: This study found that adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) are significantly associated with child mental health diagnoses, especially in cases of victimization or household member mental health problems. These results support the need for policy measures and intervention strategies for children and their families.
Article
Psychology, Multidisciplinary
Loreto Leiva, Andres Antivilo-Bruna, Betzabe Torres-Cortes, Felipe Pena, Ana Maria Scquicciarini
Summary: This study aimed to investigate the impact of adverse childhood experiences on children's mental health. The results showed that students who had experienced more psychosocial adversities had poorer mental health, with teacher assessments being the strongest predictor of mental health difficulties.
CURRENT PSYCHOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Psychology, Multidisciplinary
Miriama Lackova Rebicova, Zuzana Dankulincova Veselska, Andrea Madarasova Geckova, Danielle E. M. C. Jansen, Jitse P. P. van Dijk, Sijmen A. A. Reijneveld
Summary: This study aims to explore the association of adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) with the use of psychosocial care. The results show that having three or more ACEs and certain specific ACEs, such as the death of a parent, parental alcohol or drug problems, parental conflicts or physical fights, can increase the likelihood of using psychosocial care.
FRONTIERS IN PSYCHOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Zachary Giano, Laura Schwab-Reese, Aura Ankita Mishra, Randolph D. Hubach, Rachel L. Johnson, C. Neill Epperson, Mary D. Sammel
Summary: This study explored the intersectionality of adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) among subgroups of sex, race/ethnicity, and sexual orientation. It found that sexual minority individuals (particularly female bisexual subgroups) had a higher number of ACEs, while heterosexual subgroups (regardless of sex) had a lower number of ACEs.
AMERICAN JOURNAL OF PREVENTIVE MEDICINE
(2023)
Article
Medicine, General & Internal
David Finkelhor, Heather Turner, Deirdre LaSelva
Summary: The epidemiological literature consistently points out widespread high-risk conditions among children in terms of mental health and adverse childhood experiences. This study found that a large proportion of children with high levels of ACEs and/or mental health symptoms were not receiving services from behavioral health professionals. Efforts are needed to identify these at-risk populations and provide them with necessary intervention resources.
Review
Pediatrics
Gloria Huei-Jong, Stanford Chihuri, Melanie Blow, Guohua Li
Summary: Epidemiological evidence suggests a positive association between adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) and juvenile justice system contact in the United States, with higher ACE scores leading to increased risk of contact. Prevention programs targeting ACEs may help reduce juvenile justice system contacts and improve child and adolescent health.
Article
Psychology, Multidisciplinary
Sharon G. Portwood, Michael J. Lawler, Michael C. Roberts
Summary: Adverse childhood experiences have a detrimental impact on health outcomes at various stages of life, with increasing recognition and expansion by scientists, professionals, policymakers, and the public in recent years. The current understanding and application of ACEs include a wider public health framework that incorporates psychology and other social sciences, emphasizing the importance of research, practice, and policies informed by science.
AMERICAN PSYCHOLOGIST
(2021)
Review
Pediatrics
Sarah Loveday, Teresa Hall, Leanne Constable, Kate Paton, Lena Sanci, Sharon Goldfeld, Harriet Hiscock
Summary: This article systematically reviews the impact of ACEs screening on children and parents. The findings suggest that ACEs screening increases identification of adversity and may lead to increased referrals to services, but there is limited data on referral uptake and mental health outcomes.
Article
Family Studies
Eonju Park, Jaegoo Lee, Jisu Han
Summary: This scoping study examines the current evidence on young adult outcomes associated with adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) and highlights the importance of reaching a clear consensus on the conceptual meaning and components of ACEs. The results suggest that mental health problems and substance use are prominent outcomes associated with ACEs in young adults, but there is also a need for further research to explore the impact of ACEs on different outcomes and the factors that may influence these relationships.
CHILDREN AND YOUTH SERVICES REVIEW
(2021)