The purpose of the following study was to explore and examine the prevalence of Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACE) and coping methods among social work students at a Southern California university. The literature on ACE scores suggests that higher levels of ACE can impact well-being and functioning in adults, yet, provides limited information relating to social work. A quantitative survey instrument constructed by Felitti and colleagues (1998) and two additional questions relating to coping methods and strategies were constructed by the researchers were used to gather data for the purpose of this study. Data for the following study was collected through a self-administered, online questionnaire distributed by a Southern California university school of social work administration via Qualtrics online survey software. The data was analyzed with SPSS software, using descriptive statistics, frequencies, and independent sample t-tests. The study’s results suggest that social work students, in general, have higher ACE scores than are found in the general population. The majority of respondents reported having more than 2 instances of ACE. Yet, less than half of respondents reported using effective, healthy coping methods to cope with experiences of childhood hood trauma. These findings suggest that schools of social work, and the agencies that employee their graduates, should consider providing enhances, supports, and training for social work students and professionals coping with ACE events.

The goals of present study were: (a) to examine associations between adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) and telomere length during childhood using ACE composite scores both with and without “new” adversities (i.e., parental death and poverty), and (b) to determine if ACEs indirectly affect telomere length through children’s self-regulatory abilities (i.e., effortful control and self-control). The analytic sample consisted of national data from teachers, biological parents, and their children (N = 2,527; Mage = 9.35, SD = .36 years; 52% male; 45% Black). Results from linear regression analyses revealed a statistically significant main effect of updated (but not traditional) ACEs on child telomere length, controlling for hypothesized covariates, although the additional amount of variance explained by ACEs was negligible. Results from mediation analyses revealed an indirect effect of ACEs on child telomere length through self-control, assessed via a teacher-reported Social Skills Rating System, but not effortful control. While longitudinal studies are needed to strengthen claims of causation, the present study clarifies the association between ACEs and telomere length during middle childhood, and identifies a pathway from ACEs to changes in telomere length that should be explored further.

Adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) are linked to increased mental health problems in children, but their association with mental health services utilization is not well known. This secondary analysis used 2016 National Survey of Children’s Health data from two samples: children aged 6-17-years-old with a mental or behavioral condition in need of treatment or counseling (N = 5,723); and a subsample of children who experienced at least one ACE (n = 3,812). Multiple logistic regression and latent class analysis (LCA) were performed to examine the association between ACEs and mental health services utilization. Multiple logistic regressions also examined the associations of parent/caretaker vulnerability, school-system, and medical-system factors on mental health services utilization for children with ACEs using the Gelberg-Andersen Behavioral Model for Vulnerable Populations and a Systems of Care approach as the framework for model building. Children with increased ACE scores did not have higher odds of utilizing mental health services compared to children at lower levels of or no ACEs. For children who experienced adversity, increased parent/caretaker vulnerability was associated with lower odds and the current receipt of special education services with increased odds of mental health services utilization in adjusted models. Strengths of this study included the large dataset and generalizability to the U.S. population. There were limitations to the measurement of ACEs and other key variables. The current study identified children who experienced adversity as an underserviced population for mental health services.

Adverse childhood events have been identified as a risk factor for developing chronic pain conditions in adulthood. However, previous studies have inconsistently supported the link between adverse childhood events and hypersensitivity to laboratory-induced pain. Therefore, this study intended to investigate the effects of adverse childhood events on temporal summation of second pain (TSSP). A group of 38 healthy and pain-free college students participated in laboratory pain tests after being screened for childhood trauma history. Half of participants (47.5% female) were positive for childhood trauma and the other half (63.2% female) reported no adverse childhood event. The laboratory pain tests measured TSSP using 10 thermal pulses per trial over four consecutive trials. The trauma group showed a tendency of greater sensitization within TSSP trials and lack of habituation over repeated TSSP trials. In sum, adverse childhood events predisposed adults to enhanced TSSP, which is potentially linked to an increased likelihood to develop chronic pain problems.

Introduction: Homelessness is a living condition associated with a number of adverse health outcomes. Unaccompanied homeless youth are at risk for many of the same health outcomes as other homeless persons, but these youth are especially vulnerable because they are young and without the protection or support of an adult caregiver. Aim: The purpose of this capstone project is to present a basic overview of the topic as well as to highlight what more needs to be done to address this issue. Methods: This project involved a review of the literature related to homeless youth, child sexual or physical abuse, and mental health issues associated abused and/or homeless youth, focusing on United States information, for the years 1995 to present. Discussion: to discuss current prevention and intervention efforts, and to discuss needs for future research and intervention

Background: For decades, researchers have been striving to better understand the complex mix of factors underlying post-combat mental illness, in the hope of enabling better outcomes for military personnel. This study focuses on investigating the behavior and possible interaction of two risk factors for poor mental health post-deployment to a combat mission: adverse childhood experience (ACE) and deployment-related stressful experience (DRSE). Methods: A longitudinal dataset linking data from 3302 military personnel at recruitment to data collected post-deployment to Canada’s mission in Afghanistan was analysed, using novel scoring systems for exposure classification. Results: Significant ACE-DRSE interaction terms were found in relation to SF-36 MCS, depression and suicidal ideation: the negative effect DRSE had on mental health outcomes was amplified as ACE levels increased. Conclusion: Individuals with a history of childhood adversity are more susceptible to the negative mental health impacts of stressful experiences during deployment to a combat zone.

Child centered play therapy (CCPT) is a therapeutic intervention that provides the environment for children to work through and heal from difficult experiences through expression of play and therapeutic relationship. It has been demonstrated effective with multiple types of disruptive behaviors. I conducted single-case research to explore CCPT's influence on children who had four or more adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) and provided analysis of data collected from one assessment administered weekly and one assessment at pre-, mid-, and post-intervention: the Strength and Difficulties Questionnaire and the Trauma Symptoms Checklist for Young Children. The two participants (one 8-year-old White American male and one 9-year-old White American female) demonstrated significant improvement in total difficulties and prosocial behaviors. The study revealed potential therapeutic benefits for utilizing CCPT with children who had four or more ACEs. Encompassed in discussion of study results are implications for practice, suggestions for future research, and limitations.

A definitive association between adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) and negative physical and mental health outcomes has been established. There is evidence that individuals in forensic psychiatric facilities are disproportionately exposed to ACEs, which may impact severity, prognosis, and age of onset of psychiatric symptoms, including behavioral concerns of institutional aggression, self-harm behaviors, and suicide attempts. Such psychiatric and behavioral concerns are often managed through multiple psychotropic prescriptions, leading to psychotropic polypharmacy. This study evaluated the relationship between ACEs, mental health and behavioral concerns, and psychotropic polypharmacy through analysis of archival data from a forensic inpatient psychiatric facility. A total of 182 patients met inclusion criteria. Through a comprehensive record review, ACE scores, mental health outcomes, behavioral concerns, and prescription practices were ascertained and subjected to a series of regression analyses. Results indicate that the current participants experience greater prevalence of ACEs and mental health outcomes, as well as higher rates of psychotropic polypharmacy. These relationships are mediated by history of self-harm behaviors. The higher polypharmacy rates yield greater negative side effects with the need to manage with additional medications. Taken as a whole, ACEs are a relevant consideration, as childhood adversity may lead to a lifetime of difficulty with managing emotional distress and symptoms of psychopathology. Pharmacological treatment may be necessary, particularly with those who experience more complex mental health outcomes. However, a primary focus on psychotropic intervention can result in high rates of medications and polypharmacy with significant side effects. Incorporation of non-pharmacological intervention should be a primary consideration with forensic inpatients to circumvent the potential for psychotropic polypharmacy and related negative consequences.

Adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) have been associated with maladaptive outcomes, including difficulties with emotion regulation (ER). ER difficulties, in turn, increase risk for experiencing physical and mental health problems. Parental emotion socialization is one factor that has been associated with ER skills across development. No known studies, however, have examined whether parental emotion socialization moderates the relationship between ACEs and ER difficulties. In the current study, undergraduates (N = 678) completed questionnaires about their history of ACEs, parental emotion socialization experiences, and current ER difficulties. Correlational results indicated a positive correlation between ACEs and ER difficulties. Results of the hierarchical multiple regression analyses found a significant moderation effect only within the context of distress reaction (DR) parenting. Results suggested that the link between ACEs and adult ER difficulties was stronger in the context of low to moderate DR parenting and relatively weak in circumstances of high DR parenting.

Social health is an important predictor of overall health. Yet, it is an often neglected area of research. Strikingly, social connectedness is associated with a 50% reduction in risk of early death. While a plethora of research evidence supports the beneficial impact of nature exposure on physical and mental health, literature regarding the beneficial impact of nature exposure on social health is scant. In fact, no research to date has investigated the causal influence of nature exposure on social motivation, a construct comprised here of three measures (State Motivation to Foster Social Connections, State Positive Affect, and State Anxiety). The purpose of this study was twofold: 1) to examine the effects of virtual nature exposure on state social motivation, and 2) to investigate adverse childhood experiences as a moderator of those effects. In this online study, adult participants (N = 444) aged 18 to 58 were randomly assigned to one of the three experimental video conditions (wilderness nature exposure, urban non-nature exposure, indoor non-nature exposure). After watching a 15-minute video, participants completed measures related to state social motivation. Results revealed a significant main effect of nature exposure on state social motivation. However, the effects of nature exposure on state social motivation were not significantly moderated by adverse childhood experiences. Results suggest that nature exposure may have a positive impact on the development and maintenance of social connections and should be explored further as a social health intervention aimed at improving overall health.