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Children
Special Issues
Adverse Childhood Experiences: Prevention, Intervention, and Access to Care Update
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Adverse Childhood Experiences: Prevention, Intervention, and Access to Care Update

A special issue of Children (ISSN 2227-9067). This special issue belongs to the section "Global Pediatric Health".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (1 May 2023) | Viewed by 7155

Special Issue Editors

Dr. Kimberly Burkhart

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Division of Developmental Behavioral Pediatrics and Psychology, UH Rainbow Babies and Children’s Hospital 10524 Euclid Ave, Cleveland, OH 44106, USA
Interests: clinical child psychology; pediatric psychology; autism spectrum disorder; integrated pediatric primary care; collaborative care; child maltreatment; social determinants of health; emergency preparedness and response
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Dr. Alissa Huth-Bocks

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Departments of Pediatrics and Psychiatry, UH Rainbow Babies and Children's Hospital, Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine, Cleveland, OH 44106, USA
Interests: adverse childhood experiences; intimate partner violence; child maltreatment infant and early childhood mental health; parenting; trauma; violence prevention and intervention; poverty
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Exposure to adverse childhood experiences has been recognized as a public health crisis in the United States by leading organizations such as the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), the National Child Traumatic Stress Network (NCTSN), and the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA). Early exposure to stress and trauma have both short- and long-term physical and mental health outcomes across the lifespan. Healthcare settings are increasingly recognized as key venues to identify, intervene, and ameliorate the impact of adverse childhood experiences and build resilience among at-risk youth and their families.

Considering the success and popularity of the Special Issue entitled “Adverse Childhood Experiences: Prevention, Intervention, and Access to Care”, previously published in the journal Children (https://www.mdpi.com/journal/children/special_issues/adverse_childhood_experiences_prevention_intervention_care), we are now releasing a second issue with the aim to gather original research papers and review articles related to adverse childhood experiences. The goal of this Special Issue of Children is to highlight the impact adverse childhood experiences has on social–emotional functioning and access to medical and behavioral health services, and the effect empirically supported prevention and intervention strategies can have on mitigating the negative impact of adverse childhood experiences and in building resiliency. We invite manuscripts focused on children from birth through to the age of 21 and their families. We welcome reviews and original research focused on the impact of adverse childhood experiences and prevention and intervention strategies for both neurotypical and neurodivergent youth.

Dr. Kimberly Burkhart
Dr. Alissa Huth-Bocks
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Children is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2400 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • adverse childhood experiences
  • healthcare utilization
  • resiliency
  • trauma
  • prevention
  • intervention
  • emergency disaster and response

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Published Papers (5 papers)

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Research

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15 pages, 513 KiB  
Article
Mentalization-Based Parenting Program for Child Maltreatment Prevention: A Pre–Post Study of 12-Week Lighthouse Group Program
by Lina Gervinskaitė-Paulaitienė, Gerry Byrne and Rasa Barkauskienė
Children 2023, 10(6), 1047; https://doi.org/10.3390/children10061047 - 12 Jun 2023
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 2654
Abstract
The aim of this study was to assess the 12-week group version of the mentalization-based Lighthouse Parenting Program for child maltreatment prevention. Parents who might be facing mentalizing difficulties due to challenges in the parent–child relationship were invited to participate in the program. [...] Read more.
The aim of this study was to assess the 12-week group version of the mentalization-based Lighthouse Parenting Program for child maltreatment prevention. Parents who might be facing mentalizing difficulties due to challenges in the parent–child relationship were invited to participate in the program. The aim of the program was to promote mentalizing—to encourage parents’ curiosity about their children’s minds and their willingness to reflect on their own feelings, thoughts, and behaviors. Study participants were 101 parents (82 mothers, 19 fathers). Parenting practices and parental and family adjustment were assessed using the Parent and Family Adjustment Scale and mentalization was measured using Mentalization Scale at pre- and post-intervention assessments. Parents’ feedback on the program was gathered after the program. Results revealed that mentalization, parental adjustment, and family functioning improved while coercive parenting practices decreased after the intervention. Study results provide preliminary indications of the benefits of the 12-week Lighthouse Parenting Program for parents referred or self-referred for mental health services due to their own or their child’s difficulties. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Adverse Childhood Experiences: Prevention, Intervention, and Access to Care Update)
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8 pages, 212 KiB  
Article
When Attitudes Become Obstacles: An Exploratory Study of Future Physicians’ Concerns about Reporting Child Maltreatment
by Morgan E. Dynes, Stephne S. Rasiah and Michele Knox
Children 2023, 10(6), 979; https://doi.org/10.3390/children10060979 - 31 May 2023
Viewed by 1225
Abstract
Background: Child maltreatment (CM) makes up a significant portion of events under the larger umbrella term of adverse childhood experiences (ACEs). Therefore, we need to develop a competent healthcare workforce that is prepared to assess and report CM in order to create a [...] Read more.
Background: Child maltreatment (CM) makes up a significant portion of events under the larger umbrella term of adverse childhood experiences (ACEs). Therefore, we need to develop a competent healthcare workforce that is prepared to assess and report CM in order to create a comprehensive framework for assessing and addressing ACEs. The objective of the present study was to examine the obstacles to reporting CM among a sample of future physicians. Methods: Two samples of medical students and residents (N = 196) completed the Healthcare Provider Attitudes Toward Child Maltreatment Reporting Scale and rated how likely they would be to report suspected CM. Results: Medical students were found to have more negative feelings about and perceive more obstacles to reporting CM compared to residents in our sample. Scores on the Reporting Responsibilities subscale were not significantly associated with increased likelihood of reporting CM. However, lower scores on the Concerns about Reporting subscale were related to an increased likelihood of reporting CM. Conclusions: Future physicians who perceived fewer obstacles to reporting CM reported being more likely to report suspected CM. Misinformed fears about outcomes such as retaliation, removal of the child from the home, and being sued may interfere with future physicians’ adherence to mandated reporting responsibilities. Efforts should be made early in physician education to identify and address common myths and misconceptions around mandated reporting and its outcomes. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Adverse Childhood Experiences: Prevention, Intervention, and Access to Care Update)
11 pages, 473 KiB  
Article
Association of Adverse Childhood Experiences with Heart Conditions in Children: Insight from the 2019–2020 National Survey of Children’s Health
by Ebenezer Adebiyi, Jariselle Pietri-Toro, Adeola Awujoola and Lisa Gwynn
Children 2023, 10(3), 486; https://doi.org/10.3390/children10030486 - 1 Mar 2023
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 2243
Abstract
Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) have been associated with a higher risk of developing cardiovascular diseases and premature mortality in adults. OBJECTIVES: We evaluated the associations between ACEs and heart diseases among children in the United States. METHODS: Data on children ages 0 to [...] Read more.
Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) have been associated with a higher risk of developing cardiovascular diseases and premature mortality in adults. OBJECTIVES: We evaluated the associations between ACEs and heart diseases among children in the United States. METHODS: Data on children ages 0 to 17 years reported by parents/guardians to have current heart conditions were analyzed. Using Stata version 17 software, descriptive statistics were generated for the demographic characteristics and the various health outcomes using the chi-square of independence. Multivariate logistic regression models were employed to determine the associations between ACEs and heart conditions, the severity of heart conditions, and overall health status. RESULTS: There were 826 children with current heart conditions from a total of 68,753 surveyed children. This corresponded to an estimated 780,000 (1.13%) children living with heart conditions in the U.S. On multivariate logistic models, several ACEs, including household economic hardship, parental/guardian’s alcohol/drug abuse, severe mental health illness of parents/guardians, racial/ethnic discrimination, exposure to neighborhood violence, and accumulation of two or more ACEs, were significantly associated with heart diseases among children. Though the accumulation of two or more ACEs did not have a significant association with the severity of heart condition, it was significantly associated with caregiver reports of undesirable overall health status. CONCLUSIONS: ACEs are significantly associated with heart conditions among children and contribute to unfavorable overall health status among children with heart conditions in the U.S. There is a need for policies and programs that will promptly identify ACEs and mitigate their negative impact on children. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Adverse Childhood Experiences: Prevention, Intervention, and Access to Care Update)
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9 pages, 703 KiB  
Case Report
Psychosocial Treatment of an Adolescent in a Hospital-Based Violence Intervention Program
by Matthew Krock, Kimberly Burkhart and Edward Barksdale
Children 2023, 10(6), 1018; https://doi.org/10.3390/children10061018 - 5 Jun 2023
Viewed by 1497
Abstract
Interpersonal violence is the leading cause of death in adolescents. Hospital-based violence intervention programs (HVIPs) address the emotional and behavioral sequelae of assault and homicide. Few studies have been published on pediatric HVIPs, and no study offers a conceptualization model for treatment approaches. [...] Read more.
Interpersonal violence is the leading cause of death in adolescents. Hospital-based violence intervention programs (HVIPs) address the emotional and behavioral sequelae of assault and homicide. Few studies have been published on pediatric HVIPs, and no study offers a conceptualization model for treatment approaches. This paper demonstrates the use of empirically supported practices by outlining the services provided and subsequent treatment trajectory of an adolescent receiving care from an HVIP at a Level 1 Pediatric Trauma Center. This case study follows the Case Study Report (CARE) guidelines and is the first to demonstrate the use of intensive case management, Psychological First Aid (PFA), and Skills for Psychological Recovery (SPR) in the treatment of an adolescent presenting to the emergency department (ED) due to assault associated with bullying. Through the use of these treatment approaches to address symptoms of posttraumatic stress, the patient moved from physical recovery to posttraumatic growth. Assessment and trauma-informed treatment suggestions are provided to support evidence-based practices within HVIPs. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Adverse Childhood Experiences: Prevention, Intervention, and Access to Care Update)
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9 pages, 245 KiB  
Brief Report
Family Caregiver Acceptability of Assessing Caregiver Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) and Distress in Pediatric Specialty Care
by Theresa L. Kapke, Jeffrey Karst, Brynn LiaBraaten, Jian Zhang, Ke Yan, Jody Barbeau and Keri R. Hainsworth
Children 2023, 10(2), 382; https://doi.org/10.3390/children10020382 - 15 Feb 2023
Cited by 3 | Viewed by 1858
Abstract
Introduction: Providing quality healthcare for children includes assessing and responding to needs of their family caregivers. Three salient domains to consider are caregivers’ early adverse childhood experiences (ACEs), their current levels of distress, and their resilience in coping with both prior and current [...] Read more.
Introduction: Providing quality healthcare for children includes assessing and responding to needs of their family caregivers. Three salient domains to consider are caregivers’ early adverse childhood experiences (ACEs), their current levels of distress, and their resilience in coping with both prior and current stressors. Objective: Determine acceptability of assessing caregiver ACEs, current distress, and resilience in pediatric subspecialty care settings. Methods: Caregivers of patients in two pediatric specialty care clinics completed questionnaires about their ACEs, recent emotional distress, and resilience. Importantly, caregivers also rated the acceptability of being asked these questions. Participants included 100 caregivers of youth ages 3–17 across Sickle Cell Disease and Pain clinic settings. The majority of participants were mothers (91.0%) who identified as non-Hispanic (86.0%). Caregiver race was primarily African American/Black (53.0%) and White (41.0%). The Area Deprivation Index (ADI) was used to assess socioeconomic disadvantage. Results: High levels of caregiver acceptability or neutrality with assessing ACEs and distress, as well as high ACEs, distress, and resilience. Associations were found between caregiver ratings of acceptability with caregiver resilience and socioeconomic disadvantage. Caregivers reported openness to being asked about their experiences during childhood and recent emotional distress, although ratings of acceptability varied according to other contextual variables, such as level of socioeconomic disadvantage and caregiver resilience. In general, caregivers perceived themselves to be resilient in the face of adversity. Conclusions: Assessing caregiver ACEs and distress in a trauma-informed way may provide opportunities for better understanding the needs of caregivers and families in order to support them more effectively in the pediatric setting. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Adverse Childhood Experiences: Prevention, Intervention, and Access to Care Update)
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