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BackgroundAddressing the long-term physical and mental health impacts of adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) remains a significant public health challenge. Additionally, ACEs can contribute to intergenerational transmission, affecting future generations. While previous studies have primarily focused on children and adolescents, there is limited data on ACE subtypes and influencing factors among the general adult population, particularly in China. This study aims to explore the prevalence, subtypes, and factors influencing ACEs among Chinese adults.MethodA total of 1,932 Chinese residents from southwest China (Sichuan, Yunnan, Guizhou provinces, and Chongqing Municipality) participated in the study, consisting of 867 men (44.9%) and 1,065 women (55.1%). Latent class analysis (LCA) was used to identify ACE clusters, and regression analysis examined associations between ACE clusters and demographic factors, physical illness, and mental health outcomes.ResultsThe findings revealed that 28.7% of participants had experienced at least one ACE, while 13.2% had experienced three or more ACEs. Three distinct ACE clusters were identified: a low ACE group, a high emotional and physical abuse/family dysfunction group, and a high ACE/sexual abuse group. Regression analysis showed significant associations between childhood adversity and demographic factors (age, education, birthplace), as well as physical and mental health outcomes (anxiety, depression). ANOVA further confirmed significant differences in depression and anxiety scores across the clusters.ConclusionThese findings offer critical insights for developing targeted public health interventions. Policymakers should consider strategies to reduce childhood ACEs and mitigate their long-term consequences, with particular attention to high-risk groups.

UNLABELLED: This study introduced the novel concept of Centeredness, a measure of the emotional atmosphere of the family of origin and a target adult individuals perception of feeling safe, accepted, and supported from childhood primary caregivers and other family members. This study developed a Centeredness scale for adult respondents and tested hypotheses that higher levels of overall Centeredness would predict lower levels of depression and anxiety symptoms; suicidal thoughts and behaviors (STBs); and aggressive behavior; and higher levels of life satisfaction. Predictive effects of Centeredness were compared against attachment-related anxiety and avoidance, and adverse and benevolent childhood experiences (ACEs and BCEs). Participants were recruited via the Prolific-Academic (Pro-A) survey panel into two large independent samples of US young adults aged 19-35 years [Sample 1 (test sample), N = 548, 53.5% female, 2.2% gender non-conforming, 68.3% White, recruited before the pandemic; Sample 2 (replication sample), N = 1,198, 56.2% female, 2.3% gender non-conforming, 66.4% White; recruited during the pandemic]. Participants completed the novel Centeredness scale, which showed strong psychometric properties, and standardized, publicly available assessments of childhood experiences and mental health outcomes. Centeredness was the only variable that significantly predicted each mental health outcome across both samples. BCEs predicted all outcomes except aggressive behavior in the test sample. Centeredness and BCEs were also the only two variables that significantly predicted a dimensional mental health composite in both samples. Neither attachment-related anxiety and avoidance nor ACEs were as broadly predictive. The Centeredness scale assesses emotional aspects of childhood family relationships with individuals of diverse backgrounds and family compositions. Clinical and cultural implications are discussed. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s42844-023-00089-x.

BackgroundAdverse childhood experiences (ACEs) increase the risk of poor health outcomes later in life. Psychosocial stressors may also have intergenerational health effects by which parental ACEs are associated with mental and physical health of children. Epigenetic programming may be one mechanism linking parental ACEs to child health. This study aimed to investigate epigenome-wide associations of maternal preconception ACEs with DNA methylation patterns of children. In the Center for the Health Assessment of Mothers and Children of Salinas study, cord blood DNA methylation was measured using the Illumina HumanMethylation450 BeadChip. Preconception ACEs, which occurred during the mothers' childhoods, were collected using a standard ACE questionnaire including 10 ACE indicators. Maternal ACE exposures were defined in this study as (1) the total number of ACEs; (2) the total number of ACEs categorized as 0, 1-3, and > 4; and (3) individual ACEs. Associations of ACE exposures with differential methylated positions, regions, and CpG modules determined using weighted gene co-expression network analysis were evaluated adjusting for covariates.ResultsData on maternal ACEs and cord blood DNA methylation were available for 196 mother/newborn pairs. One differential methylated position was associated with maternal experience of emotional abuse (cg05486260/FAM135B gene; q value

BackgroundChildren of mothers with adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) are at increased risk for developmental problems. However, the mechanisms through which a mother's experience of ACEs are transmitted to her offspring are understudied. The current study investigates potential modifiable mediators (maternal psychopathology and parenting) of the association between maternal ACEs and children's behavioral problems.MethodsWe utilized data from a pregnancy cohort study (N = 1030; CANDLE study) to investigate longitudinal associations between maternal ACEs, postpartum anxiety, observed parenting behavior, and child internalizing behaviors (meanage = 4.31 years, s.d. age = 0.38) in a racially diverse (67% Black; 33% White/Other) sample. We used structural equation modeling to test for direct associations between maternal ACEs and children's internalizing behaviors, as well as indirect associations via two simple mediations (maternal anxiety and parenting), and one serial mediation (sequence of maternal anxiety to parenting).ResultsSimple mediation results indicated that maternal anxiety and cognitive growth fostering behaviors independently mediated the association between maternal ACEs and child internalizing. We observed no evidence of a serial mediation from ACEs to internalizing via the effects of maternal anxiety on parenting.ConclusionsThis study supports and refines extant literature by confirming the intergenerational association between maternal ACEs and child internalizing behaviors in a large, diverse sample, and identifies potential modifiable mediators: maternal anxiety and parenting behaviors related to fostering cognitive development. Findings may inform interventions targeting mothers who have experienced ACEs and suggest that providing support around specific parenting behaviors and addressing maternal anxiety may reduce internalizing behaviors in children.

Among graduate social work students, experiences of childhood adversity and trauma, along with secondary exposure to others' trauma, can result in negative effects. Unaddressed, this may lead to secondary traumatic stress, burnout, or difficulty sustaining effective practice. Self-care strategies that adequately promote well-being and resilience may counter negative effects. This cross-sectional study explored associations between students' reported childhood adversity, trauma, recent stress, well-being, resilience, and perceived adequacy of self-care. Students from two public universities (N = 362) completed surveys that included measures for childhood adversity, potentially traumatic events, recent stress, secondary traumatic stress, burnout, compassion satisfaction, well-being, resilience, and perceived adequacy of self-care. Descriptive, bivariate, and multivariate analyses demonstrated students experienced higher rates of four or more adverse childhood experiences compared to the general population (34% vs. 13%); 70% reported four or more potentially traumatic events. Despite high levels of adversity and trauma, students reported average levels of personal well-being, high levels of resilience, average-to-high levels of compassion satisfaction, and low-to-average levels of secondary traumatic stress and burnout. Adversity and trauma were positively associated with secondary traumatic stress, and negatively associated with well-being. Final models suggest perceived adequacy of self-care may support well-being, resilience, and protect against negative effects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study examined how adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) shape selection of college majors that commonly lead to social service jobs. Using a sample of 722 college students, this study explored differences in total ACEs and prevalence of specific ACEs among students studying social work, criminology, and human services compared with students in a non-social science field and those in other social science majors. Compared with students reporting no ACEs, students reporting four or more ACEs were more likely to study social work (RRR = 3.74, 95% CI = 1.97–7.08), criminology (RRR = 2.51, 95% CI = 1.28–4.93), or another social science (RRR = 2.88, 95% CI = 1.34–6.20) than a non-social science major. There was no significant difference in total ACEs between students studying human services and a non-social science. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The prevalence of mental health problems among young adults is widely recognized. However, limited research has examined the mental health of Arab American young adults specifically. To address this gap in the literature, this study aimed to investigate the effects of multiple stressors including adverse childhood experiences (ACEs), discrimination, and bullying victimization on the mental health of first‐ and second‐generation Arab American young adults. The participants (N = 162) were recruited from a Midwest university using online and in‐person methods. They were screened and completed a demographic questionnaire and self‐report measures of ACEs, discrimination, bullying victimization, and mental health. Hierarchical multiple regression analysis was conducted to examine the effect of psychosocial stressors on mental health and the moderating effect of generation (first vs. second) on that relationship. Female gender, increased perceived discrimination, and more ACEs were associated with lower mental health scores (β = −0.316, p < 0.001, β = −0.308, p < 0.001, and β = −0.230, p = 0.002, respectively). There was a significant negative relationship between victimization and mental health for first‐generation Arab Americans (β = −0.356, p = 0.010). However, that association all but disappeared for second‐generation participants (β = 0.006, p = 0.953). The results highlight the impact of multiple adversities on Arab American young adults' mental health and indicate important nuances related to their generation in the association between bullying victimization and mental health. Implications for practice and future research are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

There is a growing body of research documenting the impact of traumatic stress on child development, which has resulted in a call to action for trauma-informed practices as a priority, yet implementation within schools and training for educators is lacking (American Academy of Physicians, https://www.aap.org/en-us/Documents/ttb%5faces%5fconsequences.pdf, 2014). Understanding teachers' perceptions regarding current levels of knowledge, self-efficacy, and trauma-informed training can help guide future professional development experiences for both pre-service and practising teachers. This study investigated the knowledge, self-efficacy, and training of trauma-informed practices as self-reported by primary educators, serving in grades kindergarten through third-grade, within two regions of Tennessee and Virginia. The Primary Early Childhood Educators Trauma-Informed Care Survey for Knowledge, Confidence, and Relationship Building (PECE-TICKCR) scale was adapted from the TIC-DS scale (Goodwin-Glick in Impact of trauma-informed care professional development of school personnel perceptions of knowledge, disposition, and behaviours towards traumatised students, Graduate College of Bowling Green State University, 2017), validated, and created for the purpose of this study. The sample consisted of 218 primary educators who completed an online survey regarding personal knowledge, self-efficacy, and training experiences of trauma-informed practices. Correlations revealed a statistical significance between the Knowledge of Trauma factor and the Confidence in Providing Trauma-Informed Strategies factor. There was also a statistical significance between the Knowledge of Trauma factor and the Confidence in Creating Supportive relationships factor and between the Confidence in Providing Trauma-Informed Strategies factor and the Confidence in Creating Supportive Relationships factor. The findings indicated that teachers need more knowledge regarding community resources for families and students but feel confident in providing supportive relationships. Teachers also are interested in more training events related to strategies to use when working with students exposed to trauma. Implications for teacher preparation programs and professional development training for practising teachers is discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Approximately one in three women in the United States have experienced sexual trauma. The impact of sexual trauma is of significant concern as women account for a majority of social workers (NASW, 2020). This research addresses the unique experiences of social work students as they relate to sexual trauma and self-care practices and perceptions. Following sexual trauma, students report their self-care perception as a journey that spans practices including substance use, grounding activities, and physical activity. Findings signal an opportunity for support from higher educational institutions to address wellness amongst students with sexual trauma histories. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the 2005 Roper v. Simmons decision, the Supreme Court determined that capital punishment, the death penalty, was not appropriate for offenders under the age of 18. The Court accepted the argument that juveniles are less blameworthy than adult offenders due to differences in their cognitive abilities and the influence of factors outside of their control, such as household dysfunction or the existence of adverse childhood experiences (ACEs). Recent empirical literature examining both brain development and the impact of ACEs on both brain maturity and offending behaviors demonstrates that brain maturation and psychosocial maturation continue into the mid-twenties. As a result, youthful offenders, those 18 to 24 of age, may possess many of the neuropsychological deficiencies attributed to juveniles and yet be sentenced to death. This research examines if juries of capital punishment trials recognize the impact of age and ACEs when determining their sentencing decision. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

La littérature dans le champ des ACEs (Adverse Childhood Experiences) a permis, depuis l'étude princeps réalisée en 1998 par Felitti et son équipe, de rendre compte du lien entre le vécu d'adversité durant l'enfance et l'émergence de problématiques de santé à l'âge adulte. Cette relation entre l'histoire de vie et la santé s'appuie sur un modèle du risque cumulatif. Depuis, différents modèles ont été proposés, mais pour la plupart des études, le modèle cumulatif de l'adversité reste principalement considéré. Bien que pertinent, il présente des limites importantes qui doivent être prises en compte. Il apparaît donc essentiel de disposer d'un état des lieux des modèles existants dans la littérature en tenant compte de leurs intérêts et de leurs limites afin de mieux appréhender les relations entre adversité vécues durant l'enfance et santé à l'âge adulte. Au regard de ce constat, l'objectif de cet article est de dresser un état des lieux des modèles les plus pertinents dans la littérature afin d'en saisir l'importance pour la recherche dans le domaine. Enfin, nous mettrons en perspective les données de la littérature pour proposer le déploiement d'une recherche plus précise dans le champ des ACEs. The literature in the field of ACEs (Adverse Childhood Experiences) has, since the seminal study begun in 1998 by Felitti and his team, provided the link between childhood adversity and the emergence of health problems in adulthood. This relationship between life history and health is based on a cumulative risk model. Since then, different models have been proposed, but for most studies, the cumulative adversity model is the main one considered. This model, although relevant, has important limitations that must be taken into account. It therefore seems essential to take stock of the existing models in the literature in consideration of their interests and their limitations in order to better understand the relationship between adversity experienced during childhood and health in adulthood. The objective of this article is to provide an overview of the most relevant models in the literature so as to understand their importance for research in the field. Finally, we will put the data of the literature into perspective to propose the deployment of more precise research approaches in the field of ACEs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Intimate partner abuse (IPA) is a public health crisis that disproportionately impacts indigenous women. We know little about rates and correlates of IPA victimization (IPAV) and abuse directed at one's partner (ADP) among indigenous women caregivers (people who take care of children). The purpose of the current study was to address this critical gap in the literature. Participants were 44 indigenous women caregivers in the United States in a current relationship who completed a survey. Most women reported IPAV and ADP experiences in the past 6 months, and IPAV and ADP abuse directed at partner were positively associated. Further, IPAV was positively associated with adverse childhood experiences (ACEs), participants' engagement in harsh parenting, and depressive symptoms. IPAV was negatively associated with age, income, indigenous cultural identity, and social support. ADP was positively associated with ACEs, harsh parenting, and depressive symptoms. ADP was negatively associated with age and income. ADP was not associated with indigenous cultural identity and social support. These data suggest the urgency with which efforts are needed to prevent and respond to IPA among indigenous women caregivers, especially those who are younger and of lower income, and that culturally grounded initiatives that seek to build social support may be especially impactful. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

First Nations adults continue to experience significant health disparities compared to non-First Nations adults in Canada. Ongoing difficulties associated with intergenerational trauma among First Nations peoples may be examined using the adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) model, which measures various forms of abuse, neglect, and household dysfunction. We examined prevalence rates of ACEs and physical and mental health outcomes within a predominately First Nation sample of clients seeking substance use treatment from a First Nations-led treatment facility. The prevalence of ACEs was higher than national averages and previous data collected with broader Indigenous samples in Canada. Descriptive analyses of ACEs and health outcomes for those seeking First Nations-led substance use treatment showed these participants had more chronic health difficulties co-morbid with clinical levels of problematic substance use. To improve ongoing best-treatment options for those seeking substance use treatment, continued assessment and promotion of broader aspects of health and wellbeing are required, including the balance of physical, emotional, spiritual, and mental health and wellbeing across a lifespan. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Infants and families requiring neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) care often experience significant stress and trauma during the earliest period of the infant's life, leading to increased risks for poorer infant and family outcomes. There is a need for frameworks to guide clinical care and research that account for the complex interactions of generational stress, pain, toxic stress, parental separation, and lifelong health and developmental outcomes for infants and families. Purpose: Apply the Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) framework in the context of the NICU as a usable structure to guide clinical practice and research focused on infant neurodevelopment outcomes and parental attachment. Methods: An overview of ACEs is provided along with a detailed discussion of risk at each level of the ACEs pyramid in the context of the NICU. Supportive and protective factors to help mitigate the risk of the ACEs in the NICU are detailed. Results: NICU hospitalization may be considered the first ACE, or potentially an additional ACE, resulting in an increased risk for poorer health outcomes. The promotion of safe, stable, and nurturing relationships and implementation of traumainformed care and individualized developmental care potentially counter the negative impacts of stress in the NICU. Implications for Practice and Research: Nurses can help balance the negative and positive stimulation of the NICU through activities such as facilitated tucking, skin-to-skin care, mother's milk, and active participation of parents in infant care. Future research can consider using the ACEs framework to explain cumulative risk for adverse health and well-being in the context of NICU care. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Emerging research suggests associations of physical and psychosocial stressors with epigenetic aging. Although this work has included early-life exposures, data on maternal exposures and epigenetic aging of their children remain sparse. Using longitudinally collected data from the California, Salinas Valley CHAMACOS study, we examined relationships between maternal Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) reported up to 18 years of life, prior to pregnancy, with eight measures (Horvath, Hannum, SkinBloodClock, Intrinsic, Extrinsic, PhenoAge, GrimAge, and DNAm telomere length) of blood leukocyte epigenetic age acceleration (EAA) in their children at ages 7, 9, and 14 years (N = 238 participants with 483 observations). After adjusting for maternal chronological age at delivery, pregnancy smoking/alcohol use, parity, child gestational age, and estimated leukocyte proportions, higher maternal ACEs were significantly associated with at least a 0.76-year increase in child Horvath and Intrinsic EAA. Higher maternal ACEs were also associated with a 0.04 kb greater DNAm estimate of telomere length of children. Overall, our data suggests that maternal preconception ACEs are associated with biological aging in their offspring in childhood and that preconception ACEs have differential relationships with EAA measures, suggesting different physiologic utilities of EEA measures. Studies are necessary to confirm these findings and to elucidate potential pathways to explain these relationships, which may include intergenerational epigenetic inheritance and persistent physical and social exposomes.

Abstract Background Adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) increase the risk of poor health outcomes later in life. Psychosocial stressors may also have intergenerational health effects by which parental ACEs are associated with mental and physical health of children. Epigenetic programming may be one mechanism linking parental ACEs to child health. This study aimed to investigate epigenome-wide associations of maternal preconception ACEs with DNA methylation patterns of children. In the Center for the Health Assessment of Mothers and Children of Salinas study, cord blood DNA methylation was measured using the Illumina HumanMethylation450 BeadChip. Preconception ACEs, which occurred during the mothers’ childhoods, were collected using a standard ACE questionnaire including 10 ACE indicators. Maternal ACE exposures were defined in this study as (1) the total number of ACEs; (2) the total number of ACEs categorized as 0, 1–3, and > 4; and (3) individual ACEs. Associations of ACE exposures with differential methylated positions, regions, and CpG modules determined using weighted gene co-expression network analysis were evaluated adjusting for covariates. Results Data on maternal ACEs and cord blood DNA methylation were available for 196 mother/newborn pairs. One differential methylated position was associated with maternal experience of emotional abuse (cg05486260/FAM135B gene; q value

The impact of early maternal age on several outcomes (e.g., mental health issues, delinquency, aggression, impulsivity, victimization, and interpersonal difficulties) has been studied since the late 1980s. Research has demonstrated links between exposure to adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) and trauma-related outcomes such as substance abuse, interpersonal and self-directed violence, and sexual risk-taking, to name a few. The current study analyzed the incidence of ACE exposure and mental health outcomes (e.g., suicidal behaviors or self-harm, psychiatric hospitalizations, and substance use) as related to early maternal age in youth known to have experienced trafficking or sexual abuse. General demographics and incidence of various experiences and clinical presentations (e.g., ACE exposure, age of mother at birth of youth, and age at first birth), and history of self-harm, substance use, and psychiatric hospitalization, were examined in a sample of 225 youth referred for services subsequent to experiences of sex trafficking or exploitation. Relationships between ACE exposure and maternal age related to mental health outcomes were also examined. Trafficked and exploited youth reported rates of ACE exposure and poor mental health outcomes at far greater rates than the general population. Significant findings were related to early maternal age and engaging in self-harm or suicidal behaviors. Previously anticipated mediational analyses were not conducted due to the sample size and lack of correlations. Findings highlight the significant ACE exposure and high needs of exploited, trafficked, and abused youth and related mental health outcomes, emphasizing the need for early and comprehensive preventive and therapeutic interventions.

IntroductionExperiences of violence among people living with HIV (PLWH) are thought to be highly prevalent but remain inadequately captured. As a first step toward acceptable, trauma informed practices that improve engagement and retention in care for PLWH, we must acquire more comprehensive understanding of violence experiences. We examined experiences of various forms of lifetime violence: adverse childhood experiences (ACES), intimate partner violence (IPV), non-partner violence (NPV), and hate crimes among diverse sample of PLWH in Atlanta, Georgia.MethodsCross sectional data collected from in- and out-of-care PLWH (N = 285) receiving care/support from Ryan White Clinics (RWCs), AIDS Service Organizations (ASOs), or large safety-net hospital, February 2021–December 2022. As part of larger study, participants completed interviewer-administered survey and reported on experiences of violence, both lifetime and past year. Participant characteristics and select HIV-related variables were collected to further describe the sample. Univariate and bivariate analyses assessed participant characteristics across types of violence.ResultsHigh prevalence of past violence experiences across all types (ACES: 100%, IPV: 88.7%, NPV: 97.5%, lifetime hate crimes 93.2%). People assigned male at birth who identified as men experienced more violence than women, with exception of non-partner forced sex. Participants identifying as gay men were more likely to have experienced violence.ConclusionAmong our sample of PLWH at the epicenter of the United States HIV epidemic, histories of interpersonal and community violence are common. Findings emphasize need for RWCs, ASOs, and hospital systems to be universally trained in trauma-informed approaches and have integrated onsite mental health and social support services.

A content analysis of 63 land-grant Extension university websites was conducted to examine the promotion of trauma-informed care (TIC) through the sharing of resources, providing instructive webinars and/or in-person events, and offering comprehensive programs. While many Extension universities are sharing resources, only nine universities (14%) featured robust TIC Extension programs, and 40% shared no TIC information. Additionally, we found no indication of internal education programs across the universities on adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) and TIC practices for Extension faculty and staff. These findings highlight opportunities to increase efforts with the public as well as internally within Extension.

Objectives: Adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) and anxiety-depression co-morbidity are attracting widespread attention. Previous studies have shown the relationship between individual psychiatric disorders and ACEs. This study will analyze the correlation between anxiety-depression comorbidity and different levels of ACEs. Methods: Seven categories of ACE and four classifications of psychiatric disorders were defined in a sample of 126,064 participants identified by the UK Biobank from 2006-2022, and correlations were investigated using logistic regression models. Then, to explore nonlinear relationships, restricted spline models were developed to examine differences in sex and age across cohorts (n = 126,064 for the full cohort and n = 121,934 for the European cohort). Finally, the impact of the category of ACEs on psychiatric disorders was examined. Results: After controlling for confounders, ACEs scores showed dosedependent relationships with depression, anxiety, anxiety-depression comorbidity, and at least one (any of the first three outcomes) in all models. ACEs with different scores were significantly positively correlated with the four psychiatric disorders classifications, with the highest odds of anxiety-depression co-morbidity (odds ratio [OR]= 4.87, 95% confidence intervals [CI]: 4.37 ~ 5.43), p = 6.08×10-178. In the restricted cubic spline models, the risk was relatively flat for females at ACEs= 0-1 and males at ACEs= 0-2/3 (except in males, where ACEs were associated with a lower risk of anxiety, all other psychiatric disorders had an increased risk of morbidity after risk smoothing). In addition, the risk of having anxiety, depression, anxiety-depression co-morbidity, and at least one of these disorders varies with each category of ACEs. Conclusion: The prevalence of anxiety-depression comorbidity was highest across ACE scores after controlling for confounding factors and had a significant effect on each category of ACEs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

As a Substance Use Prevention Service within the Specialist Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (S-CAMHS) within Hywel Dda University Health board (HDUHB), our primary focus is supporting young people at risk of substance use to manage their mental health difficulties, while also addressing their individual needs, including those who are homeless or in temporary accommodation. A focus group was conducted to reflect on how our service approaches supporting this particularly vulnerable population with their intersecting difficulties. 'Barriers', 'efforts to reduce barriers', 'challenges of working this way' and 'future focus' are discussed and recommendations for practice are suggested. These findings will be built upon during a formal service evaluation process which is currently underway. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: Adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) are early life experiences that influence mental health outcomes, though there are mixed findings reported in relation to attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) symptoms. The current study compared adults who experienced ACEs on measures of ADHD symptom reporting, psychological symptoms, and neurocognitive test performance. Method: The sample (n = 115) had mean age of 28.42 (SD = 6.46); educational attainment of 16.47 years (SD = 1.99); and was 35% male/65% female and racially/ethnically diverse. Participants completed measures of ACEs, ADHD symptoms, psychopathology, and perceived stress, as well as neuropsychological tests. Results: The high ACEs group endorsed higher levels of childhood/adulthood inattentive, impulsive, and hyperactive symptoms, and overall childhood symptoms when compared to the low ACEs group. Conclusions: This study provides a more comprehensive understanding of the association between ACEs and cognitive/mental health outcomes. Greater ACEs resulted in higher ADHD symptom reporting but not significantly greater psychological symptoms or worse neurocognitive performance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Research on adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) demonstrates that they can be associated with physical and mental health problems throughout the lifecourse. However, few studies have examined this topic in the Community of Portuguese Language Countries (CPLC). Objective: This study aims to assess the impact of ACEs on mental health and suicidal behaviors in a sample of participants from the CPLC. Participants and Setting: The sample consists of 1006 participants aged between 18 and 80 years (mean = 41.76; SD = 14.19). Methods: This study used an online survey that included a sociodemographic questionnaire, the Brief Symptom Inventory-18 (BSI-18) to assess somatization, depression, and anxiety symptoms, and overall mental functioning, the Suicidal Behaviors Questionnaire-Revised (SBQ-R) to assess suicidal behaviors, and the Family Adverse Childhood Experiences Questionnaire to assess ACEs. Results: Emotional abuse was the most reported ACE (32.7%). Participants from Brazil had higher levels of somatization, depression, anxiety, and suicide ideation and attempt, while participants from Portugal had a higher probability of suicide in the future. ACEs were strong and significant predictors of psychological symptoms and the likelihood of suicide in the future, with emotional abuse and emotional neglect being the domains with the greatest contribution, respectively. Conclusions: ACEs are a prevalent and general phenomenon across several countries. It is urgent to alert policymakers and mental health professionals of the need to intervene with children and families to ensure their harmonious and adjusted development, thus promoting quality of life and well-being of populations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Given the high prevalence of nonsuicidal self-injury (NSSI), scientific interest is on the rise, yet its developmental course remains understudied. Factors that may influence NSSI behavior are also unclear, although early research describes it as a maladaptive form of emotion regulation. In a college student sample (N = 507), the current study examines the extent that developmental timing of, and cumulative exposure to, potentially traumatic events (PTEs) accounts for variance in NSSI frequency, duration, and desistance, as well as the role that emotion regulation difficulties (ERD) play. Of 507 participants, 411 endorsed PTE exposure and were categorized into developmental groups based on age of initial PTE exposure, with the hypothesis that initial exposure during early childhood and adolescence may represent particularly sensitive risk periods. Results revealed that cumulative PTE exposure was significantly positively associated with shorter NSSI desistance, whereas ERD were significantly negatively associated with shorter NSSI desistance. However, the interaction between cumulative PTE exposure, when coupled with current ERD significantly moderated (i.e., strengthened) the path between cumulative PTE exposure and NSSI desistance. When examined individually, this interaction was only significant for the early childhood group, suggesting that the effects of PTE exposure on NSSI persistence may vary not only as a function of emotion regulation capacities but also when in the developmental course initial PTE exposure occurs. These findings contribute to our understanding of the role of PTE and timing, as well as ERD, in predicting NSSI behavior, and can inform programs and policies to prevent and curtail self-harm. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: There is little investigation into the causes of food addiction. The aim of this study was to determine the impact of early life influences on the development of food addiction in college-attending young adults aged 18–29. Methods: This study utilized a sequential explanatory mixed-methods research design. College-attending young adults were invited to complete an online survey measuring Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs), food addiction, depression, anxiety, stress, and demographic information. Correlations between food addiction and the other variables were analyzed and significant variables were placed into a nominal logistic regression model to predict the development of food addiction. Participants who met the criteria for food addiction were invited to participate in interviews to examine their childhood eating environment and when their symptoms emerged. Interviews were transcribed and thematically analyzed. Quantitative analysis was conducted using JMP Pro Version 16.0 and qualitative analysis was conducted using NVIVO Software Version 12.0. Results: Survey respondents (n = 1645) had an overall 21.9% prevalence of food addiction. Significant correlations were observed between food addiction and ACEs, depression, anxiety, stress, and sex (p <.01 for all). Depression was the only significant predictor of the development of food addiction (OR = 3.33 95% CI 2.19, 5.05). The most common eating environment described by interview participants (n = 36) was an emphasis on diet culture, ideal body image, and restrictive environments. Symptoms frequently emerged after transitioning into college and having the ability to make their own food choices. Conclusion: These results show the impact of early life eating environments and young adulthood mental health on the development of food addiction. These findings contribute to the understanding of underlying causes of food addiction. Level of evidence: Level V, Opinions of authorities, based on descriptive studies, narrative reviews, clinical experience, or reports of expert committees. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Adverse experiences can have a significant impact on individuals mental and physical health. Trauma informed approaches have been called upon to address this, with a focus on Trauma Informed Care (TIC) across services. One element of this approach is the delivery of training. Aims & Rationale: Aims of this evaluation are to consider attendees level of awareness, knowledge and perceived relevance of TIC before and after a TIC training session, in hope of spreading awareness of this approach. Further aims considered evaluating the attendees' views about the most and least valuable parts of the session, including how they might implement TIC in their working practices. Methodology: A mixed method design was employed. Respondents completed pre- and post- training questionnaires regarding their awareness, knowledge and perceptions of relevance to their roles, as well as their views regarding the content of the training and how they might implement this in their work. Quantitative analysis using the Wilcoxon signed rank test was employed, alongside the use of template analysis for the qualitative data. Results: The analysis showed that attendee's level of awareness, knowledge and relevance of TIC had significantly increased following attendance at the TIC training session. Qualitative template analysis identified nine sub themes within the three main themes. Discussion: Results revealed that the training had a positive effect on the awareness, knowledge and perceived relevance of TIC for attendees. These findings are discussed in relation to existing literature and the implications of these are considered, alongside possible recommendations for future training, based on possible limitations of the study. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Background Adversity occurring during development is associated with detrimental health and quality of life outcomes, not just following exposure but throughout the lifespan. Despite increased research, there exists both overlapping and distinct definitions of early life adversity exposure captured by over 30 different empirically validated tools. A data-driven approach to defining and cataloging exposure is needed to better understand associated outcomes and advance the field. Methods We utilized baseline data on 11,566 youth enrolled in the ABCD Study to catalog youth and caregiver-reported early life adversity exposure captured across 14 different measures. We employed an exploratory factor analysis to identify the factor domains of early life adversity exposure and conducted a series of regression analyses to examine its association with problematic behavioral outcomes. Results The exploratory factor analysis yielded a 6-factor solution corresponding to the following distinct domains: 1) physical and sexual violence; 2) parental psychopathology; 3) neighborhood threat; 4) prenatal substance exposure; 5) scarcity; and 6) household dysfunction. The prevalence of exposure among 9-and 10-year-old youth was largely driven by the incidence of parental psychopathology. Sociodemographic characteristics significantly differed between youth with adversity exposure and controls, depicting a higher incidence of exposure among racial and ethnic minoritized youth, and among those identifying with low socioeconomic status. Adversity exposure was significantly associated with greater problematic behaviors and largely driven by the incidence of parental psychopathology, household dysfunction and neighborhood threat. Certain types of early life adversity exposure were more significantly associated with internalizing as opposed to externalizing problematic behaviors. Conclusions We recommend a data-driven approach to define and catalog early life adversity exposure and suggest the incorporation of more versus less data to capture the nuances of exposure, e.g., type, age of onset, frequency, duration. The broad categorizations of early life adversity exposure into two domains, such as abuse and neglect, or threat and deprivation, fail to account for the routine co-occurrence of exposures and the duality of some forms of adversity. The development and use of a data-driven definition of early life adversity exposure is a crucial step to lessening barriers to evidence-based treatments and interventions for youth.

Abstract Background Research examining the connections between individual adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) and how groupings of interrelated adversities are linked with subsequent health is scarce, limiting our understanding of risk during a period of rapid expansion of ACE screening in clinical practice. The study objective was to conduct a psychometric analysis to derive latent domains of ACEs and related life events and assess the association between each domain and health outcome. Methods Participants (3 months-11 years) were recruited from the University of California San Francisco Benioff’s Children Hospital Oakland Primary Care Clinic. Children were screened with the Pediatric ACEs and Related Life Events Screener (PEARLS) (n = 340), which assessed 17 total ACEs and related life events, including forms of abuse, household challenges, and social risks. Domains were constructed using confirmatory factor analysis and associations between the three identified domains and 14 health outcomes were assessed using multivariable linear and logistic regression models. Results Three PEARLS domains were identified: Maltreatment (ω = 0.73, ɑ=0.87), Household Challenges (ω = 0.70, ɑ=0.82), and Social Context (ω = 0.55, ɑ=0.70). Measurement invariance was supported across both gender and screening format. All domains were associated with poorer general and behavioral health and stomachaches. Maltreatment and Social Context were additionally associated with eczema while only Social Context was associated with increased odds of reporting headaches and somatic symptoms. Conclusion In an underserved, urban west-coast pediatric population, the PEARLS found three adversity domains of Maltreatment, Household Challenges, and Social Context that all had an independent statistically significant association with poorer child health. The results provide a timely and more nuanced representation of risk that can inform clinical practice and policy using more targeted resources and interventions.

This study explored the association between adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) and the self-esteem of teenage students in Nigeria. The study was conducted using a correlational survey design. Using a purposive sampling procedure, 30 junior secondary school students were selected from four public junior schools in Nsukka Metropolis, Enugu State, Nigeria. A researcher-structured questionnaire was used to assess whether students in four schools in the metropolis had been exposed to ACEs. A 10-item instrument‑ the Adverse Childhood Experience Questionnaire (ACE‑Q) by Felitti et al. (1998) and a self-report scale‑ Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale (RSES) (Rosenberg, 1965) were adopted to collect data on the students’ ACEs and self-esteem respectively. Results showed that there is a moderate negative relationship between adverse childhood experiences and students’ self-esteem (R = -.484). The coefficient of determination (.234) shows the variation in students’ self-esteem due to adverse childhood experiences. Furthermore, the results showed that gender has a low moderating effect on the association of ACEs with self-esteem among students (R = -.485). It was recommended, among others, that the government should ensure that policies are formulated to reduce the incidence of ACEs and the harms associated with ACEs when they occur. It is important that schools provide adequate counselling services to students who have low self-esteem as a result of ACEs. Teachers and school psychologists should also make a conscious effort to give adequate social and psychological support to children who are prone to low self-esteem as a result of prior exposure to ACEs.

Barrio Logan is a Mexican American community in San Diego in which industrial companies and residences share a space enclosed by a bay and an interstate. Ever since WWII, the Barrio Logan community has faced environmental injustice. There is a gap in Barrio Logan’s ability to self-monitor, so business models were developed to bring forth citizen science projects based on data collected from government environmental studies, the nurse’s office at Barrio Logan’s Perkins K-8 School, and interviews with Perkins K-8 School’s principal and the director and staff at the Chicano Park Museum and Cultural Center. It was found that children in Barrio Logan are experiencing a health crisis. Homelessness, single-parent households, unemployment, gentrification, low-wage jobs, continuous diesel particulate matter exposure, and high levels of asthma can be found in Barrio Logan. There is a lack of easily accessible, community-wide health programs that address ACEs and a lack of air pollution monitoring.

While numerous studies have established relationships between Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) and adult substance use, few qualitative studies have explored the differing ways in which experiences of childhood adversity are emplotted into narratives of drug use and recovery. This paper analyzes qualitative data collected as part of a mixed-methods longitudinal study of people with opioid use disorder. Narratives of adverse childhood experiences emerged unprompted. After coding qualitative data for mention of ACEs, we thematically analyzed coded data using a framework of critical phenomenology and constructed a four-part typology to differentiate the ways that ACEs were emplotted into narratives. Our four sub-types—which we call ‘haunted by trauma’, ‘seeking redemption’, ‘casual mentioners’, and ‘reckoning with inevitability’—did not necessarily cleave along types or number of ACEs, but rather by the manners in which these experiences were conditioned by subsequent life trajectories, and the social, structural, and interpersonal factors that contextualized them. While participants often linked experiences of childhood adversity to adult opioid use, we argue that the differing ways in which individuals understand and process these linkages has implications for both clinical and therapeutic practice. For frameworks like trauma-informed care to be meaningful, we must pay closer attention to these meaningful differences.

ObjectivesAdverse childhood experiences (ACEs) and anxiety-depression co-morbidity are attracting widespread attention. Previous studies have shown the relationship between individual psychiatric disorders and ACEs. This study will analyze the correlation between anxiety-depression co-morbidity and different levels of ACEs.MethodsSeven categories of ACE and four classifications of psychiatric disorders were defined in a sample of 126,064 participants identified by the UK Biobank from 2006–2022, and correlations were investigated using logistic regression models. Then, to explore nonlinear relationships, restricted spline models were developed to examine differences in sex and age across cohorts (n = 126,064 for the full cohort and n = 121,934 for the European cohort). Finally, the impact of the category of ACEs on psychiatric disorders was examined.ResultsAfter controlling for confounders, ACEs scores showed dose-dependent relationships with depression, anxiety, anxiety-depression co-morbidity, and at least one (any of the first three outcomes) in all models. ACEs with different scores were significantly positively correlated with the four psychiatric disorders classifications, with the highest odds of anxiety-depression co-morbidity (odds ratio [OR] = 4.87, 95% confidence intervals [CI]: 4.37 ~ 5.43), p = 6.08 × 10−178. In the restricted cubic spline models, the risk was relatively flat for females at ACEs = 0–1 and males at ACEs = 0–2/3 (except in males, where ACEs were associated with a lower risk of anxiety, all other psychiatric disorders had an increased risk of morbidity after risk smoothing). In addition, the risk of having anxiety, depression, anxiety-depression co-morbidity, and at least one of these disorders varies with each category of ACEs.ConclusionThe prevalence of anxiety-depression comorbidity was highest across ACE scores after controlling for confounding factors and had a significant effect on each category of ACEs.

The ACES mission of the European Space Agency combines optical and microwave-based geodetic observation techniques with highly accurate atomic clocks to achieve a new level of accuracy for geodesy and fundamental physics applications. In addition, the combination of two high-precision measurement techniques provides an even more exciting insight into their errors. Fundamental physics is particularly interested in experiments that require high precision between the results of the successive passes of a satellite. An example of such an experiment is the determination of gravitational redshift. Geodesy applications, in contrast, require both high accuracy and precision. Especially for applications like precise ranging or time synchronization, all possible error influences must be characterized and determined with high precision. Therefore, electronic delays of microwave link terminals pose a challenge to achieving high accuracy. They must, therefore, be calibrated, and the stability of the electronic delays must be monitored. While optical observation techniques can be calibrated sufficiently on the ground, the calibration of microwave measurements before a launch is not precise enough, and continuous monitoring is also not possible. In this study, four calibration methods were tested, all based on colocating optical and microwave measurements onboard a satellite and on the ground. The results of two methods achieved the required accuracy of 100 ps for time synchronization, with a mean error and standard deviation of better than 4 ps and 55 picoseconds, respectively. Correlations between the measured parameters were identified, and the impact of the different approaches on accuracy was investigated. It will be shown that the satellite-based colocation of two different geodetic observation techniques has clear advantages, and the calibration results achieved the required accuracy for geodetic applications in this simulation study. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]