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Review
. 2021 Aug:68:71-88.
doi: 10.1016/j.yapd.2021.05.003. Epub 2021 Jun 16.

Addressing Parental Adverse Childhood Experiences in the Pediatric Setting

Rupal C Gupta  1 , Kimberly A Randell  2 , M Denise Dowd  2
Affiliations
Review

Addressing Parental Adverse Childhood Experiences in the Pediatric Setting

Rupal C Gupta et al. Adv Pediatr. 2021 Aug.

Abstract

Parents’ own adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) impact their children’s physical and emotional health. Causal mechanisms are not fully understood but are likely multifactorial, affecting parent resiliency and attachment behaviors, with possible intergenerational transmission. Although universal screening for parental ACEs is controversial, they may be identified during pediatric care. Providers can address parental ACEs by consistently using trauma-informed, healing-centered approaches that acknowledge the impact of trauma and the presence of resilience, promote positive parenting skills, and provide compassionate support universally. When necessary, more targeted interventions may include referral to community social support services and parenting programming. Incorporating a two-generation approach in pediatrics may enhance and support child health and well-being more robustly.

Keywords: Adverse childhood experiences; Childhood trauma; Parent trauma; Parenting; Resilience; Toxic stress.

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Conflict of interest statement

Disclosure Funding: Dr K.A. Randell is supported by the Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health & Human Development of the National Institutes of Health under Award Number K23HD098299. The content is solely the responsibility of the authors and does not necessarily represent the official views of the National Institutes of Health.

Figures

Figure 1:
Figure 1:
Stepwise approach to addressing Parental ACEs in pediatric healthcare settings. The interventions listed are examples; the list is not exhaustive.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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