Associations between COVID-19-related family hardships/distress and children's Adverse Childhood Experiences during the pandemic: The Environmental influences on Child Health Outcomes (ECHO) program

program collaborators for Environmental influences on Child Health Outcomes

doi:10.1016/j.chiabu.2023.106510

Associations between COVID-19-related family hardships/distress and children's Adverse Childhood Experiences during the pandemic: The Environmental influences on Child Health Outcomes (ECHO) program

program collaborators for Environmental influences on Child Health Outcomes

Medical Social Sciences

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

1 Scopus citations

Abstract

Background: Economic hardships imposed by the pandemic could have implications for children's experiences of adversity in the home, or Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs). Objective: This observational cohort study examined associations between COVID-19-related hardships and distress (e.g., job loss, caregiver stress) and the cumulative number of child ACEs reported by caregivers during the pandemic (i.e., March 1, 2020–February 28, 2022). Participants and setting: The study included children (N = 4345; median age = 6.0 years, interquartile range = 4–9 years) and their parents/caregivers who participated in the NIH-funded Environmental influences in Child Health Outcomes (ECHO) Program. Methods: We described socio-demographic characteristics and pandemic-related family hardships/distress and cumulative child ACE scores reported during pre-pandemic and pandemic periods. We used negative binomial regression models to evaluate associations between pandemic-related family hardships and cumulative child ACE scores reported during the pandemic. Results: Each caregiver-reported hardship/distress was associated with higher child ACE scores reported during the pandemic. After accounting for pre-pandemic child ACE scores, moderate and severe symptoms of pandemic-related traumatic stress among caregivers were associated with 108 % and 141 % higher child ACE scores reported during the pandemic, respectively, compared with no or low caregiver symptoms. In addition, finance-related stress during the pandemic was associated with 47 % higher child ACE scores. After adjusting for pre-pandemic child experiences of neglect, most sources of stress remained significantly associated with higher child ACE scores reported during the pandemic, particularly severe/very severe symptoms of pandemic-related traumatic stress among caregivers. Findings held for children with no known pre-pandemic ACEs. Conclusions: This research suggests that caregivers experiencing financial hardships and those with severe pandemic-related traumatic stress may require additional support systems during stressful events.

Original language	English (US)
Article number	106510
Journal	Child Abuse and Neglect
Volume	146
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chiabu.2023.106510
State	Published - Dec 2023

Funding

Research reported in this publication was supported by the Environmental influences on Child Health Outcomes (ECHO) program, Office of the Director, National Institutes of Health , under Award Numbers U2COD023375 (Coordinating Center), U24OD023382 (Data Analysis Center), U24OD023319 with co-funding from the Office of Behavioral and Social Sciences Research (PRO Core), UH3OD023320 (Aschner), UH3OD023253 (Camargo), UH3OD023248 (Dabelea), UH3OD023313 (Koinis-Mitchell), UH3OD023328 (Duarte), UH3OD023318 (Dunlop), UH3OD023279 (Elliott), UH3OD023289 (Ferrara), UH3OD023244 (Hipwell), UH3OD023275 (Karagas), UH3OD023271 (Karr), UH3OD023347 (Lester), UH3OD023389 (Leve), UH3OD023268 (Weiss), UH3OD023288 (McEvoy), UH3OD023342 (Lyall), UH3OD023349 (O'Connor), UH3OD023285 (Kerver), UH3OD023249 (Stanford), UH3OD023305 (Trasande). Research reported in this publication was supported by the Environmental influences on Child Health Outcomes (ECHO) program, Office of the Director, National Institutes of Health, under Award Numbers U2COD023375 (Coordinating Center), U24OD023382 (Data Analysis Center), U24OD023319 with co-funding from the Office of Behavioral and Social Sciences Research (PRO Core), UH3OD023320 (Aschner), UH3OD023253 (Camargo), UH3OD023248 (Dabelea), UH3OD023313 (Koinis-Mitchell), UH3OD023328 (Duarte), UH3OD023318 (Dunlop), UH3OD023279 (Elliott), UH3OD023289 (Ferrara), UH3OD023244 (Hipwell), UH3OD023275 (Karagas), UH3OD023271 (Karr), UH3OD023347 (Lester), UH3OD023389 (Leve), UH3OD023268 (Weiss), UH3OD023288 (McEvoy), UH3OD023342 (Lyall), UH3OD023349 (O'Connor), UH3OD023285 (Kerver), UH3OD023249 (Stanford), UH3OD023305 (Trasande).Courtney Blackwell, Amy Elliott, Jody Ganiban, Thomas O'Connor, Allison Hipwell, Carlos Camargo Jr., Sarah Comstock, Dana Dabelea, Leslie Leve, Amy Margolis, Cindy McEvoy, Elizabeth McGowan, Aruna Chandran, Christine Hockett, and Karen Thierry received support from the NIH for the research reported in this manuscript. Amy Margolis received support from the NIEHS for the research reported in this manuscript. Cindy McEvoy received royalties for peer review from UptoDate, payment for participation in the Vanderbilt Neonatology Symposium, and participated in a DSMB for Aerogen Pharma and 2 DSMBs for the NIH. Christine Hockett received grants from the NIH, USDA, HRSA, and the JDRF & Helmsley Charitable Trust. Karen Thierry received grant support from the JDRF & Helmsley Charitable Trust.

Keywords

Adverse childhood experiences
COVID-19 pandemic
Child abuse & neglect
Family stress

ASJC Scopus subject areas

Pediatrics, Perinatology, and Child Health
Developmental and Educational Psychology
Psychiatry and Mental health

UN SDGs

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

Access to Document

10.1016/j.chiabu.2023.106510

Cite this

program collaborators for Environmental influences on Child Health Outcomes (2023). Associations between COVID-19-related family hardships/distress and children's Adverse Childhood Experiences during the pandemic: The Environmental influences on Child Health Outcomes (ECHO) program. Child Abuse and Neglect, 146, Article 106510. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chiabu.2023.106510

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title = "Associations between COVID-19-related family hardships/distress and children's Adverse Childhood Experiences during the pandemic: The Environmental influences on Child Health Outcomes (ECHO) program",

abstract = "Background: Economic hardships imposed by the pandemic could have implications for children's experiences of adversity in the home, or Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs). Objective: This observational cohort study examined associations between COVID-19-related hardships and distress (e.g., job loss, caregiver stress) and the cumulative number of child ACEs reported by caregivers during the pandemic (i.e., March 1, 2020–February 28, 2022). Participants and setting: The study included children (N = 4345; median age = 6.0 years, interquartile range = 4–9 years) and their parents/caregivers who participated in the NIH-funded Environmental influences in Child Health Outcomes (ECHO) Program. Methods: We described socio-demographic characteristics and pandemic-related family hardships/distress and cumulative child ACE scores reported during pre-pandemic and pandemic periods. We used negative binomial regression models to evaluate associations between pandemic-related family hardships and cumulative child ACE scores reported during the pandemic. Results: Each caregiver-reported hardship/distress was associated with higher child ACE scores reported during the pandemic. After accounting for pre-pandemic child ACE scores, moderate and severe symptoms of pandemic-related traumatic stress among caregivers were associated with 108 % and 141 % higher child ACE scores reported during the pandemic, respectively, compared with no or low caregiver symptoms. In addition, finance-related stress during the pandemic was associated with 47 % higher child ACE scores. After adjusting for pre-pandemic child experiences of neglect, most sources of stress remained significantly associated with higher child ACE scores reported during the pandemic, particularly severe/very severe symptoms of pandemic-related traumatic stress among caregivers. Findings held for children with no known pre-pandemic ACEs. Conclusions: This research suggests that caregivers experiencing financial hardships and those with severe pandemic-related traumatic stress may require additional support systems during stressful events.",

keywords = "Adverse childhood experiences, COVID-19 pandemic, Child abuse & neglect, Family stress",

author = "{program collaborators for Environmental influences on Child Health Outcomes} and Thierry, {Karen L.} and Hockett, {Christine W.} and Elliott, {Amy J.} and Wosu, {Adaeze C.} and Aruna Chandran and Blackwell, {Courtney K.} and Margolis, {Amy E.} and Karagas, {Margaret R.} and Vega, {Carmen Velez} and Duarte, {Cristiane S.} and Camargo, {Carlos A.} and Lester, {Barry M.} and McGowan, {Elisabeth C.} and Assiamira Ferrara and O'Connor, {Thomas G.} and McEvoy, {Cindy T.} and Hipwell, {Alison E.} and Leve, {Leslie D.} and Ganiban, {Jody M.} and Comstock, {Sarah S.} and Dana Dabelea",

note = "Publisher Copyright: {\textcopyright} 2023 Elsevier Ltd",

year = "2023",

month = dec,

doi = "10.1016/j.chiabu.2023.106510",

language = "English (US)",

volume = "146",

journal = "Child Abuse and Neglect",

issn = "0145-2134",

publisher = "Elsevier Ltd",

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program collaborators for Environmental influences on Child Health Outcomes 2023, 'Associations between COVID-19-related family hardships/distress and children's Adverse Childhood Experiences during the pandemic: The Environmental influences on Child Health Outcomes (ECHO) program', Child Abuse and Neglect, vol. 146, 106510. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chiabu.2023.106510

Associations between COVID-19-related family hardships/distress and children's Adverse Childhood Experiences during the pandemic: The Environmental influences on Child Health Outcomes (ECHO) program. / program collaborators for Environmental influences on Child Health Outcomes.
In: Child Abuse and Neglect, Vol. 146, 106510, 12.2023.

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

TY - JOUR

T1 - Associations between COVID-19-related family hardships/distress and children's Adverse Childhood Experiences during the pandemic

T2 - The Environmental influences on Child Health Outcomes (ECHO) program

AU - program collaborators for Environmental influences on Child Health Outcomes

AU - Thierry, Karen L.

AU - Hockett, Christine W.

AU - Elliott, Amy J.

AU - Wosu, Adaeze C.

AU - Chandran, Aruna

AU - Blackwell, Courtney K.

AU - Margolis, Amy E.

AU - Karagas, Margaret R.

AU - Vega, Carmen Velez

AU - Duarte, Cristiane S.

AU - Camargo, Carlos A.

AU - Lester, Barry M.

AU - McGowan, Elisabeth C.

AU - Ferrara, Assiamira

AU - O'Connor, Thomas G.

AU - McEvoy, Cindy T.

AU - Hipwell, Alison E.

AU - Leve, Leslie D.

AU - Ganiban, Jody M.

AU - Comstock, Sarah S.

AU - Dabelea, Dana

PY - 2023/12

Y1 - 2023/12

N2 - Background: Economic hardships imposed by the pandemic could have implications for children's experiences of adversity in the home, or Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs). Objective: This observational cohort study examined associations between COVID-19-related hardships and distress (e.g., job loss, caregiver stress) and the cumulative number of child ACEs reported by caregivers during the pandemic (i.e., March 1, 2020–February 28, 2022). Participants and setting: The study included children (N = 4345; median age = 6.0 years, interquartile range = 4–9 years) and their parents/caregivers who participated in the NIH-funded Environmental influences in Child Health Outcomes (ECHO) Program. Methods: We described socio-demographic characteristics and pandemic-related family hardships/distress and cumulative child ACE scores reported during pre-pandemic and pandemic periods. We used negative binomial regression models to evaluate associations between pandemic-related family hardships and cumulative child ACE scores reported during the pandemic. Results: Each caregiver-reported hardship/distress was associated with higher child ACE scores reported during the pandemic. After accounting for pre-pandemic child ACE scores, moderate and severe symptoms of pandemic-related traumatic stress among caregivers were associated with 108 % and 141 % higher child ACE scores reported during the pandemic, respectively, compared with no or low caregiver symptoms. In addition, finance-related stress during the pandemic was associated with 47 % higher child ACE scores. After adjusting for pre-pandemic child experiences of neglect, most sources of stress remained significantly associated with higher child ACE scores reported during the pandemic, particularly severe/very severe symptoms of pandemic-related traumatic stress among caregivers. Findings held for children with no known pre-pandemic ACEs. Conclusions: This research suggests that caregivers experiencing financial hardships and those with severe pandemic-related traumatic stress may require additional support systems during stressful events.

AB - Background: Economic hardships imposed by the pandemic could have implications for children's experiences of adversity in the home, or Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs). Objective: This observational cohort study examined associations between COVID-19-related hardships and distress (e.g., job loss, caregiver stress) and the cumulative number of child ACEs reported by caregivers during the pandemic (i.e., March 1, 2020–February 28, 2022). Participants and setting: The study included children (N = 4345; median age = 6.0 years, interquartile range = 4–9 years) and their parents/caregivers who participated in the NIH-funded Environmental influences in Child Health Outcomes (ECHO) Program. Methods: We described socio-demographic characteristics and pandemic-related family hardships/distress and cumulative child ACE scores reported during pre-pandemic and pandemic periods. We used negative binomial regression models to evaluate associations between pandemic-related family hardships and cumulative child ACE scores reported during the pandemic. Results: Each caregiver-reported hardship/distress was associated with higher child ACE scores reported during the pandemic. After accounting for pre-pandemic child ACE scores, moderate and severe symptoms of pandemic-related traumatic stress among caregivers were associated with 108 % and 141 % higher child ACE scores reported during the pandemic, respectively, compared with no or low caregiver symptoms. In addition, finance-related stress during the pandemic was associated with 47 % higher child ACE scores. After adjusting for pre-pandemic child experiences of neglect, most sources of stress remained significantly associated with higher child ACE scores reported during the pandemic, particularly severe/very severe symptoms of pandemic-related traumatic stress among caregivers. Findings held for children with no known pre-pandemic ACEs. Conclusions: This research suggests that caregivers experiencing financial hardships and those with severe pandemic-related traumatic stress may require additional support systems during stressful events.

KW - Adverse childhood experiences

KW - COVID-19 pandemic

KW - Child abuse & neglect

KW - Family stress

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UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/citedby.url?scp=85175583531&partnerID=8YFLogxK

U2 - 10.1016/j.chiabu.2023.106510

DO - 10.1016/j.chiabu.2023.106510

M3 - Article

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AN - SCOPUS:85175583531

SN - 0145-2134

VL - 146

JO - Child Abuse and Neglect

JF - Child Abuse and Neglect

M1 - 106510

ER -

Associations between COVID-19-related family hardships/distress and children's Adverse Childhood Experiences during the pandemic: The Environmental influences on Child Health Outcomes (ECHO) program

Abstract

Funding

Keywords

ASJC Scopus subject areas

UN SDGs

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