Identifying Distinct Latent Classes of Adverse Childhood Experiences Among US Children and Their Relationship with Childhood Internalizing Disorders.
This study aimed to determine the relationship between latent classes of adverse childhood experience (ACEs) and internalizing disorders (anxiety and depression) among US children. The 2016 National Survey of Children's Health data for children aged 6-17 was used. Latent class analysis was performed to identify distinct sub-types of ACE exposures and survey-weighted logistic regression models were employed to determine whether these classes were associated with any or comorbid childhood internalizing disorders, after controlling for meaningful covariates. Four latent classes were identified: income hardship, divorce, mental health or substance abuse exposure, and high ACEs overall. Children in three of the four classes were significantly more likely to have any childhood internalizing disorder when compared to children reporting no ACEs, while children in all classes were significantly more likely to have a comorbid history of anxiety and depression. Thus, children exposed to ACEs should receive necessary mental health screenings and treatments.
['Lew|Daphne|D|', 'Xian|Hong|H|']
D000293:Adolescent D000076783:Adverse Childhood Experiences D001008:Anxiety Disorders D002648:Child D000067576:Child Health D003866:Depressive Disorder D005260:Female D006801:Humans D008297:Male D008603:Mental Health D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires D014481:United States
Anxiety Depression Mental health Adverse childhood experience classes Child health