Adverse Childhood Experiences and Indigenous Identity: Testing for Aggregation Fallacy in the Multiracial Category.

Area of Science:

• Public Health
• Sociology
• Health Disparities

Background:

• Adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) are linked to negative health outcomes in adulthood.
• ACEs disproportionately affect American Indian/Alaska Native (AI/AN) and Multiracial populations.
• Understanding ACEs within overlapping demographic groups is crucial for health equity.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate if mean ACE scores differ within the Multiracial population based on AI/AN identity.
• To compare ACE prevalence and severity across racial and ethnic groups.

Main Methods:

• Analysis of data from the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent to Adult Health (N=12,372).
• Estimation of race-specific mean ACE scores and component prevalence.
• Disaggregation of the Multiracial group by AI/AN identity for comparative analysis.

Main Results:

• Mean ACE scores were higher in AI/AN, Multiracial AI/AN, Multiracial non-AI/AN, and Black groups compared to White and Asian/Pacific Islander groups.
• No statistically significant differences were found in mean ACE scores between AI/AN and the two Multiracial subgroups.
• ACEs prevention strategies require tailored approaches for high-risk populations.

Conclusions:

• The high mean ACE score in the Multiracial population is consistent regardless of AI/AN identification.
• Targeted interventions are necessary to address ACEs in AI/AN and Multiracial communities.
• Improving health equity necessitates culturally sensitive ACEs prevention programs.