The frequencies and disparities of adverse childhood experiences in the U.S.
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RESEARCH ARTICLE
Open Access
The frequencies and disparities of adverse childhood experiences in the U.S. Zachary Giano* , Denna L. Wheeler and Randolph D. Hubach
Abstract Background: Adversity experienced during childhood manifests deleteriously across the lifespan. This study provides updated frequency estimates of ACEs using the most comprehensive and geographically diverse sample to date. Methods: ACEs data were collected via BRFSS (Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System). Data from a total of 211, 376 adults across 34 states were analyzed. The ACEs survey is comprised of 8 domains: physical/emotional/sexual abuse, household mental illness, household substance use, household domestic violence, incarcerated household member, and parental separation/divorce. Frequencies were calculated for each domain and summed to derive mean ACE scores. Findings were weighted and stratified by demographic variables. Group differences were assessed by post-estimation F-tests. Results: Most individuals experienced at least one ACE (57.8%) with 21.5% experiencing 3+ ACEs. F-tests showed females had significantly higher ACEs than males (1.64 to 1.46). Multiracial individuals had a significantly higher ACEs (2.39) than all other races/ethnicities, while White individuals had significantly lower mean ACE scores (1.53) than Black (1.66) or Hispanic (1.63) individuals. The 25-to-34 age group had a significantly higher mean ACE score than any other group (1.98). Generally, those with higher income/educational attainment had lower mean ACE scores than those with lower income/educational attainment. Sexual minority individuals had higher ACEs than straight individuals, with significantly higher ACEs in bisexual individuals (3.01). Conclusion: Findings highlight that childhood adversity is common across sociodemographic, yet higher in certain categories. Identifying at-risk populations for higher ACEs is essential to improving the health outcomes and attainment across the lifespan. Keywords: Adverse childhood experiences, BRFSS
Background Mental and physical health, disease, cognition, wellbeing, and lifelong health is rooted in childhood. The study of adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) and the panoply of risks associated with these adverse events has grown markedly in the past 20 years [1]. The study of individuals with high ACEs has revealed significant physical health risks such as heart and pulmonary diseases, * Correspondence: [email protected] Center for Rural Health, Oklahoma State University--Center for Health Sciences, 1111 W 17th Street, Tulsa, OK 74107, USA
lung cancer, metabolic issues, inflammation, and liver diseases [2–6]. Mental health is equally affected by ACEs, as studies show strong links to depression, anxiety, severe mood disorders, and suicide [7–10]. Nevertheless, demographic diversity within these studies have been limited, with researchers calling for updated prevalence rates regarding ACEs by demographics and region [11]. Considerable research has been devoted to adverse childhood experiences because o
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