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Adverse Childhood Experiences and Chronic Diseases: Identifying a Cut-Point for ACE Scores

Author

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  • Fahad M. Alhowaymel

    (Department of Nursing, College of Applied Medical Sciences, Shaqra University, Shaqra 11911, Saudi Arabia)

  • Karen A. Kalmakis

    (Elaine Marieb College of Nursing, University of Massachusetts Amherst, Amherst, MA 01003, USA)

  • Lisa M. Chiodo

    (Elaine Marieb College of Nursing, University of Massachusetts Amherst, Amherst, MA 01003, USA)

  • Nicole M. Kent

    (Elaine Marieb College of Nursing, University of Massachusetts Amherst, Amherst, MA 01003, USA)

  • Maha Almuneef

    (College of Medicine, King Saud bin Abdulaziz University for Health Sciences, Riyadh 14611, Saudi Arabia
    King Abdullah International Medical Research Center, Riyadh 11481, Saudi Arabia)

Abstract

Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) contribute to many negative physiological, psychological, and behavioral health consequences. However, a cut-point for adverse childhood experience (ACE) scores, as it pertains to health outcomes, has not been clearly identified. This ambiguity has led to the use of different cut-points to define high scores. The aim of this study is to clarify a cut-point at which ACEs are significantly associated with negative chronic health outcomes. To accomplish this aim, a secondary analysis using data from a cross-sectional study was conducted. The Adverse Childhood Experiences-International Questionnaire (ACE-IQ) was used for data collection. Descriptive statistics, nonparametric regression, and logistic regression analyses were performed on a sample of 10,047 adults. Data from demographic and self-report health measures were included. The results showed that a cut-point of four or more ACEs was significantly associated with increased rates of chronic disease. Participants with at least one chronic disease were almost 3 times more likely (OR = 2.8) to be in the high ACE group. A standardized cut-point for ACE scores will assist in future research examining the impact of high ACEs across cultures to study the effect of childhood experiences on health.

Suggested Citation

  • Fahad M. Alhowaymel & Karen A. Kalmakis & Lisa M. Chiodo & Nicole M. Kent & Maha Almuneef, 2023. "Adverse Childhood Experiences and Chronic Diseases: Identifying a Cut-Point for ACE Scores," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 20(2), pages 1-9, January.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:20:y:2023:i:2:p:1651-:d:1037937
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Negriff, Sonya, 2020. "Expanding our understanding of intergenerational exposure to adversity," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 118(C).
    2. Xuening Chang & Xueyan Jiang & Tamara Mkandarwire & Min Shen, 2019. "Associations between adverse childhood experiences and health outcomes in adults aged 18–59 years," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 14(2), pages 1-11, February.
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