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Adverse childhood experiences in children with neurodevelopmental disorders and their parents

Maria Davidsson1,2, Frida Ringström1, Bibbi Hagberg1,3

  • 1Gillberg Neuropsychiatry Centre, Institute of Neuroscience and Physiology, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden.

Nordic Journal of Psychiatry
|February 26, 2025
PubMed

Insights

Maternal adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) are linked to child ACEs and emotional problems in children with neurodevelopmental disorders (NDD). Screening for maternal ACEs and NDD traits is recommended for children with ADHD/ASD.

Area of Science:

  • Child Psychology
  • Neurodevelopmental Disorders
  • Trauma Studies

Background:

  • Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) are linked to negative health outcomes.
  • Children with Neurodevelopmental Disorders (NDD), such as ADHD and ASD, face a higher risk of ACEs.
  • Limited research exists on ACEs in NDD populations and their parents.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To explore the association between parental ACEs and child ACEs.
  • To investigate the link between parental ACEs and NDD traits.
  • To determine if parental or child ACEs are associated with child emotional and behavioral problems.

Main Methods:

  • Study included 86 mothers, 37 fathers, and 48 children with ADHD/ASD from Swedish psychiatric clinics.
  • Parents reported their ACEs, NDD traits, and child's emotional/behavioral problems.
  • Children completed ACEs measures; parents provided demographic data.

Main Results:

  • Maternal ACEs correlated with child ACEs (r=0.382, p=0.034).
  • Maternal ACEs were associated with maternal ADHD and ASD traits (r=0.451, p<0.001).
  • Maternal ACEs predicted child emotional and behavioral problems (β=0.511, p=0.036); paternal ACEs showed no significant associations.

Conclusions:

  • ACE screenings are crucial for children with ADHD/ASD.
  • Clinicians should consider maternal trauma and NDD traits in evaluations.
  • Further research is needed to understand paternal ACEs' role.
Abstract

Keywords:
ADHDAdverse childhood experiencesautismneurodevelopmental disordersparental NDD traits

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