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Identifying Distinct Latent Classes of Adverse Childhood Experiences Among US Children and Their Relationship with Lifetime Internalizing Disorders (304958)

Keywords: latent class analysis. mental health, adverse childhood experiences, child and adolescent health

The relationship between adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) and internalizing disorders (anxiety and depression) among children has not been thoroughly examined. This study utilized the 2016 National Survey of Children’s Health data, focusing on children aged 6-17. Latent class analysis was used to identify distinct sub-types of children with ACE exposures. A survey-weighted logistic regression model was employed to determine whether classes of ACEs were significantly associated with any lifetime internalizing disorder. Four latent classes of ACEs were identified: income hardship only, divorce only, mental health or substance abuse exposure, and high ACEs overall. Children in any of these classes were significantly more likely to have any lifetime internalizing disorder when compared to children reporting no ACEs. These results provide an indication of specific sub-types of ACEs that exist among US children, and support the notion that not all ACEs contribute to risk of adverse outcomes in the same ways.