Adverse childhood experiences among previously homeless African American women

To learn how adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) impacted the life course trajectory of formerly homeless and at-risk African American women.

Intersectionality and life course theory informed this qualitative pilot study, based on an instrumental case study design.

Forty previously homeless and at-risk African American women, who were graduates from a long-term transitional living facility in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.

Focus group interviews and one individual interview provided data about participants' life experiences prior to, during, and following their time at the transitional living facility, which provided supportive wrap-around services. Interviews were audiotaped, transcribed, and line-by-line thematic analysis was conducted to identify themes. Fifteen focus group participants also completed ACE questionnaires.

Participants reported a high prevalence of multiple ACEs, and three themes were identified: childhood experiences with family conflict, childhood experiences of abuse, and negative coping mechanisms. One-hundred percent of women had experienced at least one ACE, based on ACE questionnaire responses.

ACEs affect various parts of patient's lives as adults. For nurses and other healthcare professionals, connecting with community resources provides the opportunity to strategically approach health improvement with wrap-around resources to improve health outcomes.