Experiences of childhood adversity across generations – Continuity or change? A study from the Northern Ireland youth wellbeing survey

Lisa Bunting; Claire  McCartan; Gavin  Davidson; Anne  Grant; Dirk Schubotz; Orla McBride; Jamie Murphy; Emma Nolan; M Shevlin

doi:10.1016/j.chiabu.2022.105568

Experiences of childhood adversity across generations – Continuity or change? A study from the Northern Ireland youth wellbeing survey

Lisa Bunting, Claire McCartan, Gavin Davidson, Anne Grant , Dirk Schubotz, Orla McBride, Jamie Murphy, Emma Nolan, M Shevlin

Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review

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Abstract

BACKGROUND: Although a wealth of international literature consistently links cumulative experiences of adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) with physical, mental and emotional problems in later life, only a few studies have focused on intergenerational ACE exposure and research using nationally representative populations is lacking.

OBJECTIVE: This paper examines intergenerational associations between parent and child ACE scores in a large nationally representative sample of parent-child dyads.

PARTICIPANTS AND SETTING: Participant comprise 1042 pairs of parents and young people (11-19 year olds) who both completed questions relating to their exposure to ACEs (N = 1042) as part the Northern Ireland Youth Wellbeing Survey (NIYWS) - a stratified random probability household survey of the prevalence of mental health disorders among 2 to 19 year olds in Northern Ireland (N = 3074).

METHODS: Hierarchical regression was used to identify the relationship between parent and young people ACE scores and investigate the extent to which this is influenced by child, parent, family and socio-economic variables.

RESULTS: In the final model, young person ACE scores were associated with older child age (β = 0.082, p = .016), younger parental age (β = -0.083, p = .022), fewer children in the household (β = -0.120, p < .001), poor child health (β = 0.160, p < .001), low family support (β = 0.118, p = .001) and the household being in receipt of benefits (β = 0.223, p < .001).

CONCLUSIONS: This study found a small association between parent and young person ACE exposure which was attenuated through other variables.

Original language	English
Article number	105568
Number of pages	12
Journal	Child Abuse & Neglect
Volume	127
Early online date	2 Mar 2022
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chiabu.2022.105568
Publication status	Published (in print/issue) - 31 May 2022

Bibliographical note

Funding information
This survey was commissioned and funded by the Social Care Directorate (Children's' Services and Think Family NI), Health and Social Care Board and we are particularly grateful for the work of Catriona Rooney (Commissioning Lead (CAMHS), NI Health and Social Care Board) who was instrumental in making this study possible.

Funding Information:
Firstly, we are grateful for all the parents and young people who participated in this study and who generously shared their time with the research team. This survey was commissioned and funded by the Social Care Directorate (Children's' Services and Think Family NI), Health and Social Care Board and we are particularly grateful for the work of Catriona Rooney (Commissioning Lead (CAMHS), NI Health and Social Care Board) who was instrumental in making this study possible. The Prevalence Study Project Board, chaired by Martin Quinn (NI Health and Social Care Board), and the International Advisory Group assisted the team from the study's inception and offered their expertise and valued advice at each stage of the project. We would like to thank them for their hard work and contribution to this research.

Publisher Copyright:
© 2022 Elsevier Ltd

Keywords

Adverse childhood experience
child maltreatment
Intergenerational research
Prevalence survey
mental health
Intergenerational transmission
Mental health
Adverse childhood experiences
Child maltreatment
Prevalence
Humans
Parents
Adverse Childhood Experiences
Adolescent
Surveys and Questionnaires
Child
Northern Ireland/epidemiology

UN SDGs

This output contributes to the following UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

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10.1016/j.chiabu.2022.105568

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Cite this

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title = "Experiences of childhood adversity across generations – Continuity or change? A study from the Northern Ireland youth wellbeing survey",

abstract = "BACKGROUND: Although a wealth of international literature consistently links cumulative experiences of adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) with physical, mental and emotional problems in later life, only a few studies have focused on intergenerational ACE exposure and research using nationally representative populations is lacking.OBJECTIVE: This paper examines intergenerational associations between parent and child ACE scores in a large nationally representative sample of parent-child dyads.PARTICIPANTS AND SETTING: Participant comprise 1042 pairs of parents and young people (11-19 year olds) who both completed questions relating to their exposure to ACEs (N = 1042) as part the Northern Ireland Youth Wellbeing Survey (NIYWS) - a stratified random probability household survey of the prevalence of mental health disorders among 2 to 19 year olds in Northern Ireland (N = 3074).METHODS: Hierarchical regression was used to identify the relationship between parent and young people ACE scores and investigate the extent to which this is influenced by child, parent, family and socio-economic variables.RESULTS: In the final model, young person ACE scores were associated with older child age (β = 0.082, p = .016), younger parental age (β = -0.083, p = .022), fewer children in the household (β = -0.120, p < .001), poor child health (β = 0.160, p < .001), low family support (β = 0.118, p = .001) and the household being in receipt of benefits (β = 0.223, p < .001).CONCLUSIONS: This study found a small association between parent and young person ACE exposure which was attenuated through other variables.",

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author = "Lisa Bunting and Claire McCartan and Gavin Davidson and Anne Grant and Dirk Schubotz and Orla McBride and Jamie Murphy and Emma Nolan and M Shevlin",

note = "Funding information This survey was commissioned and funded by the Social Care Directorate (Children's' Services and Think Family NI), Health and Social Care Board and we are particularly grateful for the work of Catriona Rooney (Commissioning Lead (CAMHS), NI Health and Social Care Board) who was instrumental in making this study possible. Funding Information: Firstly, we are grateful for all the parents and young people who participated in this study and who generously shared their time with the research team. This survey was commissioned and funded by the Social Care Directorate (Children's' Services and Think Family NI), Health and Social Care Board and we are particularly grateful for the work of Catriona Rooney (Commissioning Lead (CAMHS), NI Health and Social Care Board) who was instrumental in making this study possible. The Prevalence Study Project Board, chaired by Martin Quinn (NI Health and Social Care Board), and the International Advisory Group assisted the team from the study's inception and offered their expertise and valued advice at each stage of the project. We would like to thank them for their hard work and contribution to this research. Publisher Copyright: {\textcopyright} 2022 Elsevier Ltd",

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T1 - Experiences of childhood adversity across generations – Continuity or change? A study from the Northern Ireland youth wellbeing survey

AU - Bunting, Lisa

AU - McCartan, Claire

AU - Davidson, Gavin

AU - Grant , Anne

AU - Schubotz, Dirk

AU - McBride, Orla

AU - Murphy, Jamie

AU - Nolan, Emma

AU - Shevlin, M

N1 - Funding information This survey was commissioned and funded by the Social Care Directorate (Children's' Services and Think Family NI), Health and Social Care Board and we are particularly grateful for the work of Catriona Rooney (Commissioning Lead (CAMHS), NI Health and Social Care Board) who was instrumental in making this study possible. Funding Information: Firstly, we are grateful for all the parents and young people who participated in this study and who generously shared their time with the research team. This survey was commissioned and funded by the Social Care Directorate (Children's' Services and Think Family NI), Health and Social Care Board and we are particularly grateful for the work of Catriona Rooney (Commissioning Lead (CAMHS), NI Health and Social Care Board) who was instrumental in making this study possible. The Prevalence Study Project Board, chaired by Martin Quinn (NI Health and Social Care Board), and the International Advisory Group assisted the team from the study's inception and offered their expertise and valued advice at each stage of the project. We would like to thank them for their hard work and contribution to this research. Publisher Copyright: © 2022 Elsevier Ltd

PY - 2022/5/31

Y1 - 2022/5/31

N2 - BACKGROUND: Although a wealth of international literature consistently links cumulative experiences of adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) with physical, mental and emotional problems in later life, only a few studies have focused on intergenerational ACE exposure and research using nationally representative populations is lacking.OBJECTIVE: This paper examines intergenerational associations between parent and child ACE scores in a large nationally representative sample of parent-child dyads.PARTICIPANTS AND SETTING: Participant comprise 1042 pairs of parents and young people (11-19 year olds) who both completed questions relating to their exposure to ACEs (N = 1042) as part the Northern Ireland Youth Wellbeing Survey (NIYWS) - a stratified random probability household survey of the prevalence of mental health disorders among 2 to 19 year olds in Northern Ireland (N = 3074).METHODS: Hierarchical regression was used to identify the relationship between parent and young people ACE scores and investigate the extent to which this is influenced by child, parent, family and socio-economic variables.RESULTS: In the final model, young person ACE scores were associated with older child age (β = 0.082, p = .016), younger parental age (β = -0.083, p = .022), fewer children in the household (β = -0.120, p < .001), poor child health (β = 0.160, p < .001), low family support (β = 0.118, p = .001) and the household being in receipt of benefits (β = 0.223, p < .001).CONCLUSIONS: This study found a small association between parent and young person ACE exposure which was attenuated through other variables.

AB - BACKGROUND: Although a wealth of international literature consistently links cumulative experiences of adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) with physical, mental and emotional problems in later life, only a few studies have focused on intergenerational ACE exposure and research using nationally representative populations is lacking.OBJECTIVE: This paper examines intergenerational associations between parent and child ACE scores in a large nationally representative sample of parent-child dyads.PARTICIPANTS AND SETTING: Participant comprise 1042 pairs of parents and young people (11-19 year olds) who both completed questions relating to their exposure to ACEs (N = 1042) as part the Northern Ireland Youth Wellbeing Survey (NIYWS) - a stratified random probability household survey of the prevalence of mental health disorders among 2 to 19 year olds in Northern Ireland (N = 3074).METHODS: Hierarchical regression was used to identify the relationship between parent and young people ACE scores and investigate the extent to which this is influenced by child, parent, family and socio-economic variables.RESULTS: In the final model, young person ACE scores were associated with older child age (β = 0.082, p = .016), younger parental age (β = -0.083, p = .022), fewer children in the household (β = -0.120, p < .001), poor child health (β = 0.160, p < .001), low family support (β = 0.118, p = .001) and the household being in receipt of benefits (β = 0.223, p < .001).CONCLUSIONS: This study found a small association between parent and young person ACE exposure which was attenuated through other variables.

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KW - child maltreatment

KW - Intergenerational research

KW - Prevalence survey

KW - mental health

KW - Intergenerational transmission

KW - Mental health

KW - Adverse childhood experiences

KW - Child maltreatment

KW - Prevalence

KW - Humans

KW - Parents

KW - Adverse Childhood Experiences

KW - Adolescent

KW - Surveys and Questionnaires

KW - Child

KW - Northern Ireland/epidemiology

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DO - 10.1016/j.chiabu.2022.105568

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SN - 0145-2134

VL - 127

JO - Child Abuse & Neglect

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ER -

Experiences of childhood adversity across generations – Continuity or change? A study from the Northern Ireland youth wellbeing survey

Abstract

Bibliographical note

Keywords

UN SDGs

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