How knowledge of adverse childhood experiences can help pediatricians prevent mental health problems.

2016 ◽  
Vol 34 (2) ◽  
pp. 128-135 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ariane Marie-Mitchell ◽  
Karen R. Studer ◽  
Thomas G. O'Connor
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Adverse Childhood Experiences ◽  
Mental Health Problems ◽  
Health Problems ◽  
Childhood Experiences ◽  
Adverse Childhood

scholarly journals Exploring the health and service utilisation of general practice patients with a history of adverse childhood experiences (ACEs): an observational study using electronic health records

BMJ Open ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (9) ◽  
pp. e036239
Author(s):  
Katie Hardcastle ◽  
Mark A Bellis ◽  
Catherine A Sharp ◽  
Karen Hughes
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Health Service ◽  
Adverse Childhood Experiences ◽  
Mental Health Problems ◽  
Health Problems ◽  
Service Utilisation ◽  
Health Records ◽  
Childhood Experiences ◽  
Adverse Childhood ◽  
History Of

ObjectivesTo examine the relationships between adverse childhood experiences (ACEs), chronic health and health service utilisation among a sample of general practice patients.DesignCross-sectional observational study using anonymised data from electronic health records for 763 patients.SettingFour general practices in northwest England and North Wales.Outcome measuresPatient demographic data (age, gender); body mass index; self-reported smoking status; self-reported ACEs; diagnosis of chronic health conditions; current mental health problems; total number of service contacts and repeat medication use in the previous 6 months.ResultsA history of ACEs (experiencing abuse or neglect as a child, and/or growing up in a household characterised by violence, substance use, mental health problems or criminal behaviour) was strongly independently associated with current mental health problems, smoking and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, showing a dose–response relationship with level of ACE exposure. Medication use and contact were significantly greater among patients with high ACE exposure (≥4 ACEs), compared with those with no ACEs. However, contrary to findings from population studies, health service utilisation was not significantly different for patients with increased ACE exposure (1–3 ACEs) and their ACE-free counterparts.ConclusionsFindings highlight the contribution ACEs make to unequal distributions of risk to health and well-being and patterns of health service use in the UK.

scholarly journals The Clustering of Adverse Childhood Experiences in the Avon Longitudinal Study of Parents and Children: Are Gender and Poverty Important?

2020 ◽  
pp. 088626052093509 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rebecca E. Lacey ◽  
Laura D. Howe ◽  
Michelle Kelly-Irving ◽  
Mel Bartley ◽  
Yvonne Kelly
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Mental Health Problems ◽  
Health Problems ◽  
Parental Mental Health ◽  
Childhood Experiences ◽  
Close Family Member ◽  
Parents And Children ◽  
Adverse Childhood ◽  
Avon Longitudinal Study ◽  
Close Family

Previous research has demonstrated a graded relationship between the number of Adverse Childhood Experiences reported (an ACE score) and child outcomes. However, ACE scores lack specificity and ignore the patterning of adversities, which are informative for interventions. The aim of the present study was to explore the clustering of ACEs and whether this clustering differs by gender or is predicted by poverty. Data on 8,572 participants of the Avon Longitudinal Study of Parents and Children (ALSPAC) were used. ALSPAC is a regionally representative prenatal cohort of children born between 1991 and 1992 in the Avon region of South-West England. ACEs included parental divorce, death of a close family member, interparental violence, parental mental health problems, parental alcohol misuse, parental drug use, parental convictions, and sexual, emotional, and physical abuse, between birth and 19 years. Latent class analysis was used to derive ACE clusters and associations between poverty, gender, and the derived classes tested using multinomial logistic regression. Five latent classes were identified: “Low ACEs” (55%), “Parental separation and mother’s mental health problems” (18%), “Parental mental health problems, convictions and separation” (15%), “Abuse and mental health problems” (6%), and “Poly adversity” (6%). Death of a close family member and sexual abuse did not cluster with other adversities. The clustering did not differ by gender. Poverty was strongly related to both individual ACEs and clusters. These findings demonstrate that ACEs cluster in specific patterns and that poverty is strongly related to this. Therefore, reducing child poverty might be one strategy for reducing ACEs.

scholarly journals Prevalence and correlates of common mental health problems and recent suicidal thoughts and behaviours among female sex workers in Nairobi, Kenya

2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Alicja Beksinska ◽  
Zaina Jama ◽  
Rhoda Kabuti ◽  
Mary Kungu ◽  
Hellen Babu ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Sex Workers ◽  
Mental Health Problems ◽  
Health Problems ◽  
Poor Mental Health ◽  
Suicidal Thoughts ◽  
Childhood Experiences ◽  
Harmful Alcohol ◽  
Adverse Childhood ◽  
Common Mental Health Problems

Abstract Background Adverse childhood experiences (ACEs), poverty, violence and harmful alcohol/substance use are associated with poor mental health outcomes, but few studies have examined these risks among Female Sex Workers (FSWs). We examine the prevalence and correlates of common mental health problems including suicidal thoughts and behaviours among FSWs in Kenya. Methods Maisha Fiti is a longitudinal study among FSWs randomly selected from Sex Worker Outreach Programme (SWOP) clinics across Nairobi. Baseline behavioural-biological survey (n = 1003) data were collected June–December 2019. Mental health problems were assessed using the Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9) for depression, the Generalised Anxiety Disorder tool (GAD-7) for anxiety, the Harvard Trauma Questionnaire (HTQ-17) for Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and a two-item tool to measure recent suicidal thoughts/behaviours. Other measurement tools included the WHO Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACE) score, WHO Violence Against Women questionnaire, and the Alcohol, Smoking and Substance Involvement Screening Test (ASSIST). Descriptive statistics and multivariable logistic regression were conducted using a hierarchical modelling approach. Results Of 1039 eligible FSWs, 1003 FSWs participated in the study (response rate: 96%) with mean age 33.7 years. The prevalence of moderate/severe depression was 23.2%, moderate/severe anxiety 11.0%, PTSD 14.0% and recent suicidal thoughts/behaviours 10.2% (2.6% suicide attempt, 10.0% suicidal thoughts). Depression, anxiety, PTSD and recent suicidal thoughts/behaviours were all independently associated with higher ACE scores, recent hunger (missed a meal in last week due to financial difficulties), recent sexual/physical violence and increased harmful alcohol/substance. PTSD was additionally associated with increased chlamydia prevalence and recent suicidal thoughts/behaviours with low education and low socio-economic status. Mental health problems were less prevalent among women reporting social support. Conclusions The high burden of mental health problems indicates a need for accessible services tailored for FSWs alongside structural interventions addressing poverty, harmful alcohol/substance use and violence. Given the high rates of ACEs, early childhood and family interventions should be considered to prevent poor mental health outcomes.

Effects of Adverse Childhood Experiences, Stress, and Social Support on the Health of College Students

2016 ◽  
Vol 35 (1-2) ◽  
pp. 150-172 ◽  
Author(s):  
Canan Karatekin ◽  
Rohini Ahluwalia
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Social Support ◽  
Adverse Childhood Experiences ◽  
Mental Health Problems ◽  
Perceived Social Support ◽  
College Campuses ◽  
Childhood Experiences ◽  
Adverse Childhood ◽  
Study Results ◽  
High Level

The goal of the study was to describe the nature of adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) reported by undergraduates and to examine the effect of ACEs, perceived stress, and perceived social support on their health. Although respondents ( N = 321) had parents with relatively high levels of education and indicated generally high levels of social support, results nevertheless showed a relatively high level of mental health problems and rates of ACEs that were similar to those in the general population in the state. Those with higher levels of ACEs had greater levels of stress and lower levels of social support. ACEs, social support, and stress explained more than half the variance in mental health scores, with stress making the greatest contribution. Despite the fact that we used different measures and an independent sample, findings generally replicated a previous study. Results point to a need to increase awareness of the association between ACEs and health on college campuses, to examine the effects of ACEs in more detail, and to design ACE-informed programs for this population.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document