Younger Maternal Age at Childbirth and Children's Exposure to ACEs: Parental Emotional Support as a Moderator

Adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) are significant public health concerns with long-term consequences for children's mental health, physical well-being, and socioeconomic outcomes. This study examines whether younger maternal age at childbirth (≤ 24 years) is associated with children's exposure to any ACE and whether parental emotional support moderates this association. This study analyzed 2022 National Survey of Children's Health data for 32,092 children ages 6-17. Logistic models adjusted for child age, sex, US-born status, special health care needs, highest household education, family poverty level, partnered status, and any adult employment. Younger maternal age was associated with substantially higher odds of any ACE. With child-level covariates (M1), the OR was 3.20 (95% CI [2.98, 3.43]); with family-level covariates (M2), 2.14 ([1.98, 2.31]); and in the fully adjusted model (M3), 2.05 ([1.90, 2.21]). In the fully adjusted moderation model (M4), the main effect for younger maternal age remained strong (OR = 1.75, [1.49, 2.06]). This study highlighted that risk concentrates where structural disadvantage and early parenthood intersect. Emotional support did not reduce children's ACE risk. Interventions should prioritize caregiver support services and structural supports, such as income, housing, childcare, and behavioral health for young families.