A hypothetical intervention to reduce inequities in anxiety for Multiracial people: simulating an intervention on childhood adversity.

Multiracial people report higher mean Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) scores and prevalence of anxiety than other racial groups. Studies using statistical interactions to estimate racial differences in ACEs-anxiety associations do not show stronger associations for Multiracial people. Using data from Waves 1 (1995-97) through 4 (2008-09) of the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent to Adult Health (Add Health), we simulated a stochastic intervention over 1,000 resampled datasets to estimate the race-specific cases averted per 1,000 of anxiety if all racial groups had the same exposure distribution of ACEs as Whites. Simulated cases averted were greatest for the Multiracial group, (median = -4.17 cases per 1,000, 95% CI: -7.42, -1.86). The model also predicted smaller risk reductions for Black participants (-0.76, 95% CI: -1.53, -0.19). CIs around estimates for other racial groups included the null. An intervention to reduce racial disparities in exposure to ACEs could help reduce the inequitable burden of anxiety on the Multiracial population. Stochastic methods support consequentialist approaches to racial health equity, and can encourage greater dialogue between public health researchers, policymakers, and practitioners.

DNA methylation as a possible causal mechanism linking childhood adversity and health: Results from two-sample mendelian randomization study.

Childhood adversity is an important risk factor for adverse health across the life course. Epigenetic modifications, such as DNA methylation (DNAm), are one hypothesized mechanism linking adversity to disease susceptibility. Yet, few studies have determined whether adversity-related DNAm alterations are causally related to future health outcomes or if their developmental timing plays a role in these relationships. Here, we used two-sample Mendelian Randomization to obtain stronger causal inferences about the association between adversity-associated DNAm loci across development (i.e., birth; childhood; adolescence; young adulthood) and 24 mental, physical, and behavioral health outcomes. We identified particularly strong associations between adversity-associated DNAm and ADHD, depression, obsessive-compulsive disorder, suicide attempts, asthma, coronary artery disease, and chronic kidney disease. A greater number of associations were identified for birth and childhood DNAm, while adolescent and young adulthood DNAm were more closely linked to mental health. Childhood DNAm loci also showed primarily risk suppressing relationships with health outcomes, suggesting that DNAm might reflect compensatory or buffering mechanisms against childhood adversity, rather than acting solely as an indicator of disease risk. Together, our results suggest adversity-related DNAm alterations are linked to both physical and mental health outcomes, with particularly strong impacts of DNAm differences emerging earlier in development.

The impact of adverse childhood experiences on multimorbidity: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: Adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) have been implicated in the aetiology of a range of health outcomes, including multimorbidity. In this systematic review and meta-analysis, we aimed to identify, synthesise, and quantify the current evidence linking ACEs and multimorbidity. METHODS: We searched seven databases from inception to 20 July 2023: APA PsycNET, CINAHL Plus, Cochrane CENTRAL, Embase, MEDLINE, Scopus, and Web of Science. We selected studies investigating adverse events occurring during childhood (< 18 years) and an assessment of multimorbidity in adulthood (≥ 18 years). Studies that only assessed adverse events in adulthood or health outcomes in children were excluded. Risk of bias was assessed using the ROBINS-E tool. Meta-analysis of prevalence and dose-response meta-analysis methods were used for quantitative data synthesis. This review was pre-registered with PROSPERO (CRD42023389528). RESULTS: From 15,586 records, 25 studies were eligible for inclusion (total participants = 372,162). The prevalence of exposure to ≥ 1 ACEs was 48.1% (95% CI 33.4 to 63.1%). The prevalence of multimorbidity was 34.5% (95% CI 23.4 to 47.5%). Eight studies provided sufficient data for dose-response meta-analysis (total participants = 197,981). There was a significant dose-dependent relationship between ACE exposure and multimorbidity (p < 0.001), with every additional ACE exposure contributing to a 12.9% (95% CI 7.9 to 17.9%) increase in the odds for multimorbidity. However, there was heterogeneity among the included studies (I2 = 76.9%, Cochran Q = 102, p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: This is the first systematic review and meta-analysis to synthesise the literature on ACEs and multimorbidity, showing a dose-dependent relationship across a large number of participants. It consolidates and enhances an extensive body of literature that shows an association between ACEs and individual long-term health conditions, risky health behaviours, and other poor health outcomes.

The association of adverse childhood experiences with long-term outcomes of psychosis: a 21-year prospective cohort study after a first episode of psychosis.

BACKGROUND: Evidence suggests a possible relationship between exposure to childhood adversity (CA) and functional impairment in psychosis. However, the impact of CA on long-term outcomes of psychotic disorders remains poorly understood. METHODS: Two hundred and forty-three patients were assessed at their first episode of psychosis for CA and re-assessed after a mean of 21 years of follow-up for several outcome domains, including symptoms, functioning, quality of life, cognitive performance, neurological dysfunction, and comorbidity. The unique predictive ability of CA exposure for outcomes was examined using linear regression analysis controlling for relevant confounders, including socioeconomic status, family risk of schizophrenia, and obstetric complications. RESULTS: There were 54% of the patients with a documented history of CA at mild or higher levels. CA experiences were more prevalent and severe in schizophrenia than in other psychotic disorders (p < 0.001). Large to very large effect sizes were observed for CA predicting most role functioning variables and negative symptoms (ΔR2 between 0.105 and 0.181). Moderate effect sizes were observed for positive symptoms, personal functioning, impaired social cognition, impaired immediate verbal learning, poor global cognition, internalized stigma, poor personal recovery, and drug abuse severity (ΔR2 between 0.040 and 0.066). A dose-response relationship was observed between levels of CA and severity of outcome domains. CONCLUSION: Our results suggest a strong and widespread link between early adversity exposure and outcomes of psychotic disorders. Awareness of the serious long-term consequences of CA should encourage better identification of those at risk and the development of effective interventions.

Interleukin-1ß moderates the relationships between middle frontal-mACC/insular connectivity and depressive symptoms in bipolar II depression.

The functional alterations of the brain in bipolar II depression (BDII-D) and their clinical and inflammatory associations are understudied. We aim to investigate the functional brain alterations in BDII-D and their relationships with inflammation, childhood adversity, and psychiatric symptoms, and to examine the moderating effects among these factors. Using z-normalized amplitude of low-frequency fluctuation (zALFF), we assessed the whole-brain resting-state functional activity between 147 BDII-D individuals and 150 healthy controls (HCs). Differential ALFF regions were selected as seeds for functional connectivity analysis to observe brain connectivity alterations resulting from abnormal regional activity. Four inflammatory cytokines including interleukin (IL)-6, IL-1ß, tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, and C-reactive protein (CRP) and five clinical scales including Hamilton Depression Scale (HAMD), Hamilton Anxiety Scale (HAMA), Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS), Columbia-Suicide Severity Rating Scale (C-SSRS), and Childhood Trauma Questionnaire (CTQ) were tested and assessed in BDII-D. Partial correlations with multiple comparison corrections identified relationships between brain function and inflammation, childhood adversity, and psychiatric symptoms. Moderation analysis was conducted based on correlation results and previous findings. Compared to HCs, BDII-D individuals displayed significantly lower zALFF in the superior and middle frontal gyri (SFG and MFG) and insula, but higher zALFF in the occipital-temporal area. Only the MFG and insula-related connectivity exhibited significant differences between groups. Within BDII-D, lower right insula zALFF value correlated with higher IL-6, CRP, and emotional adversity scores, while lower right MFG zALFF was related to higher CRP and physical abuse scores. Higher right MFG-mid-anterior cingulate cortex (mACC) connectivity was associated with higher IL-1ß. Moreover, IL-1ß moderated associations between higher right MFG-mACC/insula connectivity and greater depressive symptoms. This study reveals that abnormal functional alterations in the right MFG and right insula were associated with elevated inflammation, childhood adversity, and depressive symptoms in BDII-D. IL-1ß may moderate the relationship between MFG-related connectivity and depressive symptoms.

Childhood adversity and the risk of gestational diabetes: A population-based cohort study of nulliparous pregnant women.

AIMS: Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) is one of the most common pregnancy complications, and though it may be linked to childhood adversity, the effect of different types of adversity remains unclear. Childhood adversity is linked to a younger maternal age, which may hide the overall impact of adversity on GDM risk. We therefore aimed to explore the association between different types of childhood adversity and GDM while accounting for the potential impact of maternal age. METHODS: We used Danish nation-wide register data, including 208,207 women giving birth for the first time from 2004 to 2018. Five adversity groups were used to examine the effect of childhood adversity on GDM risk: (1) low (referent group), (2) early life material deprivation, (3) persistent deprivation, (4) loss or threat of loss within the family and (5) high adversity. RESULTS: 5375 women were diagnosed with GDM in the study population (2.6% absolute risk). Compared to women who experienced low adversity, the other adversity groups had a higher GDM risk (absolute difference [%]) directly; early material deprivation (0.64% [95% CI 0.44; 0.84]), persistent deprivation (0.63% [0.41; 0.86]), loss or threat of loss (0.73% [0.42; 1.05]) and high adversity (0.80% [0.32; 1.27]). The indirect effect of maternal age attenuated the total effect of childhood adversity on GDM by an absolute difference of 0.25%-0.46%. CONCLUSIONS: Experiencing childhood adversity to any extent is associated with a higher risk of GDM. Interventions aimed at preventing childhood adversity may have a positive effect in reducing GDM burden and the associated health risks.

Association of Childhood Adversity With Frailty and the Mediating Role of Unhealthy Lifestyle: A Lifespan Analysis.

OBJECTIVES: Childhood adversity and lifestyle have been associated with frailty in later life, but not much is known about factors that may explain these associations. Therefore, this study aims to investigate the association of childhood adversity with frailty, and the mediating role of unhealthy lifestyle in the association. METHODS: This lifespan analysis included 152,914 adults aged 40-69 years old from the UK Biobank. We measured childhood adversity with five items: physical neglect, emotional neglect, sexual abuse, physical abuse, and emotional abuse through online mental health survey. Frailty was measured by the frailty index; an unhealthy lifestyle score (range: 0-5) was calculated based on unhealthy body mass index, smoking, alcohol consumption, physical inactivity, and unhealthy diet at the baseline survey. Multiple logistic regression and mediation analysis were performed. RESULTS: A total of 10,078 participants (6.6%) were defined as having frailty. Participants with any childhood adversity had higher odds of frailty. For example, in the fully adjusted model, with a one-point increase in cumulative score of childhood adversity, the odds of frailty increased by 38% (odds ratio: 1.38; 95% Confidence Interval: 1.36, 1.40). Unhealthy lifestyle partially mediated the associations of childhood adversity with frailty (mediation proportion: 4.4%-7.0%). The mediation proportions were largest for physical (8.2%) and sexual (8.1%) abuse. CONCLUSIONS: Childhood adversity was positively associated with frailty, and unhealthy lifestyle partially mediated the association. This newly identified pathway highlights the potential of lifestyle intervention strategies among those who experienced childhood adversity (in particular, physical, and sexual abuse) to promote healthy aging.

Frontoparietal beta event characteristics are associated with early life stress and psychiatric symptoms in adults.

Recent work has found that the presence of transient, oscillatory burst-like events, particularly within the beta band (15-29 Hz), is more closely tied to disease state and behavior across species than traditional electroencephalography (EEG) power metrics. This study sought to examine whether features of beta events over frontoparietal electrodes were associated with early life stress (ELS) and the related clinical presentation. Eighteen adults with documented ELS (n = 18; ELS + ) and eighteen adults without documented ELS (n = 18; ELS-) completed eyes-closed resting state EEG as part of their participation in a larger childhood stress study. The rate, power, duration, and frequency span of transient oscillatory events were calculated within the beta band at five frontoparietal electrodes. ELS variables were positively associated with beta event rate at Fp2 and beta event duration at Pz, in that greater ELS was associated with higher resting rates and longer durations. These beta event characteristics were used to successfully distinguish between ELS + and ELS- groups. In an independent clinical dataset (n = 25), beta event power at Pz was positively correlated with ELS. Beta events deserve ongoing investigation as a potential disease marker of ELS and subsequent psychiatric treatment outcomes.

How much do adverse childhood experiences contribute to adolescent anxiety and depression symptoms? Evidence from the longitudinal study of Australian children.

This study aims to: (i) examine the association between adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) and elevated anxiety and depressive symptoms in adolescents; and (ii) estimate the burden of anxiety and depressive symptoms attributable to ACEs.Data were analyzed from 3089 children followed between Waves 1 (age 4-5 years) and 7 (16-17 years) of the Longitudinal Study of Australian Children. Logistic regression was used to estimate the associations between ACEs and child-reported elevated anxiety and depressive symptoms at age 16-17. Anxiety and depressive symptoms were measured using the Children's Anxiety Scale and Short Mood and Feelings Questionnaire, respectively. The punaf command available in STATA 14 was used to calculate the population attributable fraction (PAF).Before the age of 18 years, 68.8% of the children had experienced two or more ACEs. In the analysis adjusted for confounding factors, including co-occurring ACEs, both history and current exposure to bullying victimisation and parental psychological distress were associated with a statistically significant increased likelihood of elevated anxiety and depressive symptoms at age 16-17. Overall, 47% of anxiety symptoms (95% CI for PAF: 35-56) and 21% of depressive symptoms (95% CI: 12-29) were attributable to a history of bullying victimisation. Similarly, 17% (95% CI: 11-25%) of anxiety and 15% (95% CI: 4-25%) of depressive symptoms at age 16-17 years were attributable to parental psychological distress experienced between the ages of 4-15 years.The findings demonstrate that intervention to reduce ACEs, especially parental psychological distress and bullying victimisation, may reduce the substantial burden of mental disorders in the population.

The relationship between childhood adversity and sleep quality among rural older adults in China: the mediating role of anxiety and negative coping.

BACKGROUND: Studies have revealed the effects of childhood adversity, anxiety, and negative coping on sleep quality in older adults, but few studies have focused on the association between childhood adversity and sleep quality in rural older adults and the potential mechanisms of this influence. In this study, we aim to evaluate sleep quality in rural older adults, analyze the impact of adverse early experiences on their sleep quality, and explore whether anxiety and negative coping mediate this relationship. METHODS: Data were derived from a large cross-sectional study conducted in Deyang City, China, which recruited 6,318 people aged 65 years and older. After excluding non-agricultural household registration and lack of key information, a total of 3,873 rural older adults were included in the analysis. Structural equation modelling (SEM) was used to analyze the relationship between childhood adversity and sleep quality, and the mediating role of anxiety and negative coping. RESULTS: Approximately 48.15% of rural older adults had poor sleep quality, and older adults who were women, less educated, widowed, or living alone or had chronic illnesses had poorer sleep quality. Through structural equation model fitting, the total effect value of childhood adversity on sleep quality was 0.208 (95% CI: 0.146, 0.270), with a direct effect value of 0.066 (95% CI: 0.006, 0.130), accounting for 31.73% of the total effect; the total indirect effect value was 0.142 (95% CI: 0.119, 0.170), accounting for 68.27% of the total effect. The mediating effects of childhood adversity on sleep quality through anxiety and negative coping were significant, with effect values of 0.096 (95% CI: 0.078, 0.119) and 0.024 (95% CI: 0.014, 0.037), respectively. The chain mediating effect of anxiety and negative coping between childhood adversity and sleep quality was also significant, with an effect value of 0.022 (95% CI: 0.017, 0.028). CONCLUSIONS: Anxiety and negative coping were important mediating factors for rural older adult's childhood adversity and sleep quality. This suggests that managing anxiety and negative coping in older adults may mitigate the negative effects of childhood adversity on sleep quality.

Childhood adversities and memory function in later life: the mediating role of activity participation.

BACKGROUND: Childhood adversities may lead to decreased activity participation in later life, impacting memory health in ageing adults. Childhood adversities related to deprivation and threat, as conceptualized by the Dimensional Model of Adversity, can exhibit distinct impacts on cognitive and emotional outcomes in children and younger adults. This study examined the potential influence of childhood deprivation and threat on memory function in later life and the mediating role of activity participation in these relationships. METHODS: This study used data from the first wave of Panel Study of Active Ageing and Society (PAAS), a representative survey of Hong Kong residents aged 50 or above (N = 1,005). Key variables included late-life memory function measured by delayed recall test, deprivation- and threat-related childhood adversities, and the frequency of participation in informal and formal types of activities. Mediation tests were used for analysis. RESULTS: Childhood deprivation was associated with a lower late-life memory function, whereas threat was not. The negative effects of childhood deprivation and its subdomain, economic hardship, on memory function were mediated by activity participation. Total participation scores presented the strongest mediating effect (17.3-20.6%), with formal activities playing a more substantial mediating role than informal activities in mitigating the effect of childhood deprivation. CONCLUSIONS: These findings expand the applicability of the Dimensional Model of Adversity to ageing populations, highlighting the influence of deprivation on life-long cognitive development. Furthermore, this study revealed an indirect mechanism by which childhood deprivation affects memory health in old age through diverse activity participation.

Defining and distinguishing early life stress, trauma, adversity, toxic and chronic stress and allostatic load: a descriptive review.

AIMS: Various concepts are used to study the impact of stress on childhood development. These concepts are often used inconsistently or interchangeably. Our main objectives were to determine how selected stress concepts (chronic stress, toxic stress, allostatic load, early life stress, childhood adversity, childhood trauma and adverse childhood experiences; ACEs) are defined, operationalized and described, and to provide a theoretical context to aid the choice for a preferred concept in public health research. METHODS: For this descriptive review, we systematically searched for literature published before 4 August 2021, on PubMed, Embase and PsycInfo. Two independent reviewers included studies. Exclusion criteria were: no systematic review, not peer reviewed, not published in English, selected stress concepts were no predetermined variable or a substantial topic in the discussion, full text was unobtainable or study described non-human or non-childhood populations. Data extraction forms were used. Descriptives were gathered, publication fields were identified through Journal Citation Reports categories, and verbatim descriptions were ordered in text and Venn diagrams. RESULTS: Of 264 screened studies, 124 were included. ACEs, childhood adversity and childhood trauma were used most. ACEs were the main concept used most frequently (47.6%). A total of 11 of 14 public and environmental health journals used ACEs. All concepts refer to prolonged, repeated, interpersonal stress from 0 to 18 years, that can alter physiological systems. Four concepts were stressor oriented, two concepts focused on stress response and effect and one on the state of challenged homeostasis. CONCLUSIONS: ACEs seem most fitting for public health setting, due to their operationalizability, large set of core experiences and widespread use.

Opening Pandora's box - key facilitators of practice change in detecting and responding to childhood adversity - a practitioner perspective.

BACKGROUND: Childhood adversities worsen physical and mental health across the lifespan. Health and social care practitioners play a key role in identifying and responding to childhood adversity, however, may be reluctant to do so due to a perceived lack of services to refer to, time pressures and a deficit of training and confidence. We aimed to (1) quantify changes in practitioner comfort and confidence to identify and respond to childhood adversity following a multimodal intervention within an integrated child and family health and social care hub and (2) to understand barriers and facilitators of practice change. METHODS: Hub practitioners were surveyed about their competence and comfort to directly ask about and confidence to respond to adversity at baseline and then at six and twelve months post training. Interviews were undertaken to explore practitioner barriers and enablers of practice change. Interviews were recorded, transcribed verbatim, and analysed using reflexive thematic analysis. The theoretical domains framework was used to identify the key drivers of practice change. RESULTS: Fifteen of 18 practitioners completed all three surveys and 70% reported increased competence and comfort to directly ask, and confidence to respond across a range of adversities over the 12-month intervention. Twenty-one practitioners completed interviews. Six themes were identified as either facilitators or barriers to practice change. Facilitator themes included (1) connection matters, (2) knowledge provides assurance, (3) confidence in ability and (4) choosing change. Barrier themes were (1) never enough time and (2) opening Pandora's box. Following analysis, key drivers of practice change were 'social influence', 'belief in capability', 'knowledge' and 'behaviour regulation' while barriers to practice change were 'environmental context and resources' and 'emotion'. CONCLUSIONS: Practitioners reported improved confidence in identifying and responding to adversity through a multimodal intervention delivered in an integrated Child and Family Hub. Changing practice requires more than just education and training. Opportunities for social connection and coaching to improve self-confidence and perceived competence are needed to overcome the fear of opening Pandora's box.

Childhood adversity, accelerated GrimAge, and associated health consequences.

Childhood adversity is linked to psychological, behavioral, and physical health problems, including obesity and cardiometabolic disease. Epigenetic alterations are one pathway through which the effects of early life stress and adversity might persist into adulthood. Epigenetic mechanisms have also been proposed to explain why cardiometabolic health can vary greatly between individuals with similar Body Mass Index (BMIs). We evaluated two independent cross-sectional cohorts of adults without known medical illness, one of which explicitly recruited individuals with early life stress (ELS) and control participants (n = 195), and the other a general community sample (n = 477). In these cohorts, we examine associations between childhood adversity, epigenetic aging, and metabolic health. Childhood adversity was associated with increased GrimAge Acceleration (GAA) in both cohorts, both utilizing a dichotomous yes/no classification (both p < 0.01) as well as a continuous measure using the Childhood Trauma Questionnaire (CTQ) (both p < 0.05). Further investigation demonstrated that CTQ subscales for physical and sexual abuse (both p < 0.05) were associated with increased GAA in both cohorts, whereas physical and emotional neglect were not. In both cohorts, higher CTQ was also associated with higher BMI and increased insulin resistance (both p < 0.05). Finally, we demonstrate a moderating effect of BMI on the relationship between GAA and insulin resistance where GAA correlated with insulin resistance specifically at higher BMIs. These results, which were largely replicated between two independent cohorts, suggest that interactions between epigenetics, obesity, and metabolic health may be important mechanisms through which childhood adversity contributes to long-term physical and metabolic health effects.

The role of social support in reducing the long-term burden of cumulative childhood adversity on adulthood internalising disorder.

PURPOSE: Previous research indicates that social support is protective for the mental health outcomes of exposure to childhood adversity. However, the impact of social support as a protective factor following exposure to cumulative childhood adversity is understudied with prospective longitudinal data. The aim of this present study was to examine how social support mediates the impact of cumulative exposure to childhood adversity on internalising disorder in adulthood. METHODS: The Christchurch Health and Development Study (CHDS) is a general population birth cohort, born in 1977 and representative of Christchurch, New Zealand at the time of the cohort members' birth. The present study used a generalised estimating equations (GEE) framework to analyse direct associations between a cumulative measure of childhood adversity (CA) and internalising disorders (major depression, and any anxiety disorder), and indirect associations through social support. RESULTS: Results indicated a dose-dependent relationship between increased exposure to CA and worsened odds of a diagnosis for major depression and any anxiety disorder, respectively. There was also a significant mediating effect of social support on the direct associations between CA and both major depression (OR (95%CI) =0 .98 (0.97, 0.99), p < 001) and any anxiety disorder (OR (95%CI) = .98 (0.97, 0.99), p < 001). CONCLUSION: The findings indicate that social support reduces the impact of childhood adversity on adult mental health, and is therefore a target for future work examining potential interventions following CA.

Childhood adversity, perceived social support, and depressive symptoms among pre-abortion Chinese women.

BACKGROUND: Unintended (unwanted) pregnancy is a sexual and reproductive health issue with psychosocial consequences for the individual, their family, and society. However, the relationship between social support and related mental health issues, like depression and the effects of childhood adversity, is poorly studied. This study aims to explore the connections between childhood adversity, perceived social support, and depressive symptoms in pre-abortion women (women who have decided to have an abortion) in a clinical setting, based on the common risk factor approach and social support theory. METHODS: A total of 299 pre-abortion Chinese women 18-45 years were recruited in a hospital in Shantou, China. Hierarchical linear regression analyses were employed to examine the relative effects of childhood adversity and sources of social support on depressive symptoms, controlling for sociodemographic influences. RESULTS: The results show that 37.2 percent of participants reported at least one adverse experience in childhood. More than half of the respondents were at risk for depression. Results of regression analysis showed that childhood adversities were negatively associated with depressive symptoms before sources of social support were entered into the model. However, when the sources of perceived social support were added, the effect of childhood adversity was not significant. Perceived social support explained the additional 15 percent variance in depressive symptoms. Additionally, being married (ß = -.12, p < .05) and number of siblings (ß = .13, p < .05) were significantly related to depressive symptoms. DISCUSSION: Pre-abortion women are at risk of mental health problems. Peer and familial social supports can alleviate the influence of childhood adversity on depression among pre-abortion Chinese women. Strengthening the role of various sources of social support can help to improve the mental health conditions of pre-abortion women.

Moving from idea to reality: The barriers and enablers to implementing Child and Family Hubs policy into practice in NSW, Australia.

BACKGROUND: Adverse childhood experiences can impact physical and mental health throughout the lifespan. To support families experiencing adversity and improve child health and developmental equity, an integrated, multi-sector response is required. Child and Family Hubs (Hubs) are a feasible and acceptable approach to providing such a response. In the Australian context, a number of federal and New South Wales (NSW) state policies support an integrated, multi-sector response using Hubs to support families experiencing adversity. This study examined NSW policy stakeholder and health service manager perspectives on the barriers and enablers to translating policy into practice in the implementation of Child and Family Hubs. METHODS: Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 11 NSW government policy stakeholders and 13 community health service managers working in child and family policy and planning or child and family community-based services. Interviews were of 30-60 min duration and explored stakeholder knowledge, perspectives and experiences around childhood adversity, and barriers and enablers to operationalizing policies supporting Hubs. Analysis of barriers and facilitators to implementation of Hub models of care was undertaken using the Consolidated Framework for Implementation Research (CFIR). RESULTS: Key barriers that emerged included short-term and inconsistent funding, lack of resourcing for a Hub co-ordinator, limited support for evaluation and insufficient time to plan for Hub implementation. Key enablers included flexibility and adaptability of Hub models to meet local needs, formal change management processes, strong governance structures and engagement among Hub practitioners. Key insights included the importance of targeted strategies to support sustained individual practice change and the need for organization-wide commitment to enable the successful adoption and maintenance of the Hub model of care. CONCLUSIONS: This study provides valuable insights and contributes evidence around what is needed to strengthen and support the operationalization and scalability of the Hub model of care. Key recommendations for Hub practitioners include the importance of formal change management processes and establishment of strong governance structures, while key recommendations for policymakers include the need for sustainable Hub funding and a standardized, evidence-based framework to support Hub implementation and evaluation.

Lifetime adversity predicts depression, anxiety, and cognitive impairment in a nationally representative sample of older adults in the United States.

OBJECTIVE: Although life stress and adversity are well-known risk factors for mental health problems and cognitive impairment among older adults, limited research has comprehensively examined the impact of both childhood and adulthood adversity on psychiatric and cognitive impairment symptoms over a prolonged period. To address this issue, we investigated how lifetime adversity exposure is related to symptoms of depression, anxiety, and cognitive impairment in a nationally representative, longitudinal sample of older adults in the United States. METHOD: We analyzed data from the Health and Retirement Study (1992-2016). The sample included 3496 individuals (59.9% female), aged ≥64 years old (Mage = 76.0 ± 7.6 years in 2016). We used the individual-level panel data and ordinary least squares regressions to estimate associations between childhood and adulthood adversities, and later-life depression, anxiety, and cognitive impairment. RESULTS: Many participants experienced a significant early life (38%) or adulthood (79%) stressor. Moreover, experiencing one childhood adversity (vs. none) was associated with a 17.4% increased risk of adulthood adversity. Finally, as hypothesized, childhood adversity exposure was related to experiencing more depression and anxiety symptoms in later life, whereas adulthood stressor exposure predicted more cognitive impairment as well as more depression and anxiety symptoms. DISCUSSION: These findings demonstrate significant associations between lifetime adversity and symptoms of depression, anxiety, and cognitive impairment in older adults. Screening for lifetime stressors may thus help healthcare professionals and policymakers identify individuals who could potentially benefit from interventions designed to reduce stress and enhance resilience.

Associations between childhood adversity, psychiatric symptoms, and self-esteem outcomes in adolescents and young adults: An experience sampling study.

OBJECTIVES: Self-esteem and self-esteem stability are important factors during adolescence and young adulthood that can be negatively impacted by childhood adversity and psychiatric symptoms. We examined whether childhood adversity and psychiatric symptoms are associated with decreased global self-esteem as well as increased self-esteem instability as measured with experience sampling method. In addition, we examined if childhood adversity moderates the association between psychiatric symptoms and self-esteem outcomes. METHODS: Our study consisted of 788 adolescents and young adults who were part of a twin pair. The twin structure was not of interest to the current study. Mean age was 16.8 (SD = 2.38, range: 14-25), 42% was male. We used a multilevel modeling approach to examine our hypotheses to account for the presence of twins in the data set. RESULTS: Childhood adversity and psychiatric symptoms were negatively associated with global self-esteem (respectively standardized ß = -.18, SE = 0.04, p < .0001 and standardized ß = -.45, SE = 0.04, p < .0001), with a larger effect for psychiatric symptoms. Similarly, both were associated with increased self-esteem instability (respectively standardized ß = .076, SE = 0.025, p = .002 and standardized ß = .11, SE = 0.021, p < .0001). In addition, interactions between childhood adversity and psychiatric symptoms on both global self-esteem (standardized ß = .06, SE = 0.01, p < .0001) and self-esteem instability (standardized ß = -.002, SE = 0.0006, p = .001) were found, showing that the negative association of psychiatric symptoms with self-esteem outcomes is less pronounced in young people with higher levels of childhood adversity, or formulated differently, is more pronounced in young people with little or no exposure to childhood adversity. CONCLUSION: Global self-esteem and self-esteem instability in young people are influenced by both current psychiatric symptomatology and exposure to childhood adversity. Those with more psychiatric symptoms show worse self-esteem and higher self-esteem instability, which is moderated by childhood adversity. For young people with high childhood adversity levels lower self-esteem and higher self-esteem instability are less influenced by reductions in psychiatric symptoms.

The mediating role of social support in associations between childhood adversity, military sexual trauma, and homelessness in a nationally representative sample of US veterans.

Among veterans, availability of social support and histories of military sexual trauma (MST) and/or adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) are particularly salient correlates of homelessness. Using path analyses, we investigated whether social support (i.e., interpersonal social support and community integration) would at least partially account for the relationships of MST and ACEs with any lifetime homelessness in a large, nationally representative sample of veterans (N = 4069, 9.8% female). Interpersonal social support and community integration partially explained the relationship between ACEs and any lifetime homelessness. However, they did not mediate the relationship between MST and any lifetime homelessness. Female veterans also reported higher trauma rates and lower perceived social support than male counterparts during correlational analyses. These results reinforce existing literature on the importance of research and interventions tailored to veterans with low social support and integration. Results have potential to inform interventions and policy for veterans experiencing and/or at risk for homelessness.