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Evidence shows that adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) are a root cause of risk behaviors. Safe, stable, and nurturing relationships (SSNRs) can potentially moderate the health risks associated with ACEs. This study examines the relationships among SSNRs in childhood, ACEs, and two risk behaviors in adulthood (smoking tobacco and binge drinking). Data were obtained from the 2016 South Carolina Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System survey. The results show a significant decrease in odds of risk behaviors among individuals with ACEs when a SSNRs is present in childhood. This study suggests that programs and policies that promote resilience may reduce risk behaviors.

The purpose of this qualitative study is to elucidate how food insecurity affects diabetes self-management among adults with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Eleven persons with T2DM who screened as food insecure were recruited from a patient pool of a healthcare system in South Carolina. Interview recordings were transcribed, blinded, and imported into NVivo. Participant ages ranged from 36 to 66 years, and included nine women, and seven African American participants. Three major themes emerged: (1) coping with food insecurity; (2) strategies used to manage T2DM within the context of food insecurity; and (3) receiving unrealistic advice from providers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Evidence shows that adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) are a root cause of risk behaviors. Safe, stable, and nurturing relationships (SSNRs) can potentially moderate the health risks associated with ACEs. This study examines the relationships among SSNRs in childhood, ACEs, and two risk behaviors in adulthood (smoking tobacco and binge drinking). Data were obtained from the 2016 South Carolina Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System survey. The results show a significant decrease in odds of risk behaviors among individuals with ACEs when a SSNRs is present in childhood. This study suggests that programs and policies that promote resilience may reduce risk behaviors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: As adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) become increasingly recognized as a root cause of unhealthy behaviors, researchers, practitioners, and legislators seek to understand policy strategies to prevent and mitigate its effects. Given the high prevalence of ACEs, policies that address ACEs can meaningfully prevent disease in adulthood and improve population health. We sought to understand barriers and opportunities for policies to prevent and mitigate ACEs by exploring state legislator perspectives.Setting and Participants: Twenty-four current state legislators in South Carolina.Design: In 2018, we conducted semistructured interviews with 24 state legislators. Participants were recruited using maximum variation sampling. The researchers individually analyzed each interview transcript using focused coding qualitative techniques. A high inter-rater agreement was demonstrated (κ = .76 to .87), and discrepancies were resolved through discussion.Method: The data collection and analysis were guided by Multiple Streams Theory, which identifies 3 key components (attention to the problem, decisions about policy options, and the impact of political landscape) that can lead windows of opportunity for passing policies.Results: Legislators identified several factors that can influence the passage of legislation on ACEs: awareness of ACEs; gaps in understanding about what can be done about ACEs; the use of data and stories that contextualize the problem of ACEs; capitalizing on the bipartisanship of children's issues; and linking to current ACEs-related issues on the policy agenda, such as school safety and violence prevention and the opioid epidemic.Conclusion: Public health researchers and practitioners should focus on the factors identified to advocate for policies that prevent ACEs and/or address their health consequences. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We examined the perspectives of child and family-serving professionals (CFSP) and state policymakers on protective factors to develop policy and program recommendations including current and needed approaches for addressing ACEs. In 2018, we conducted semi-structured, in-depth interviews with 23 CFSP and 24 state policymakers in South Carolina. Data were analyzed applying the Multiple Streams Theory using thematic analyses. CFSPs and policymakers had varying opinions on state government involvement and primary prevention for ACEs. Three protective factors emerged from their perspectives: 1) loving, trusting, and nurturing relationships; 2) safe home environments; and 3) opportunities to thrive. For each of these protective factors, participants suggested policy options that support existing community efforts, attempt to alleviate poverty, and improve child and family serving systems. This study suggests that CFSPs and policymakers recognize the importance of protective factors in a child's life to buffer the effect of ACEs. More awareness is needed about the feasibility and significance of primary prevention of ACEs. The study's findings can be used to strengthen advocacy priorities for a wide range of public health outcomes associated with ACEs and help further bridge the gap between research and policy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]