The Impact of Attachment-Disrupting Adverse Childhood Experiences on Child Behavioral Health

Abstract

Objectives: To describe patterns of overall, within-household, and community adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) among children in vulnerable neighborhoods and to identify which individual ACEs, over and above overall ACE level, predict need for behavioral health services.

Study design: This was a cross-sectional study that used a sample of 257 children ages 3-16 years who were seeking primary care services with co-located mental healthcare services at 1 of 2 clinics in Chicago, Illinois. The outcome variable was need for behavioral health services (Pediatric Symptom Checklist score ≥28). The independent variables were ACEs, measured with an adapted, 28-item version of the Traumatic Events Screening Inventory.

Results: Six ACE items were individually predictive of a clinical-range Pediatric Symptom Checklist score after adjusting for sociodemographic covariates: emotional abuse or neglect (OR 2.93, 95% CI 1.32-6.52, P < .01), natural disaster (OR 3.89, 95% CI 1.18-12.76, P = .02), forced separation from a parent or caregiver (OR 2.95, 95% CI 1.50-5.83, P < .01), incarceration of a family member (OR 2.43, 95% CI 1.20-4.93, P = .01), physical attack (OR 2.84, 95% CI 1.32-6.11, P < .01), and community violence (OR 2.35, 95% CI 1.18-4.65, P = .01). After adjusting for overall ACE level, only 1 item remained statistically significant: forced separation from a parent or caregiver (OR 2.44, 95% CI 1.19-5.01, P = .02).

Conclusions: ACEs that disrupt attachment relationships between children and their caregivers are a significant predictor of risk for child emotional or behavioral problems.

Keywords: child maltreatment; child trauma; mental health; toxic stress.