Accumulated Disadvantage: Adverse Childhood Experiences and Educational Attainment

• In Event: 16.048 - Health in Education

Abstract

This paper evaluates the relationship between adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) and educational attainment in a population sample from Washington State. Fitting a series of ordered regression models, we find ACEs have a strong negative relationship with educational attainment. There are statistically significant differences in effects between men and women. Further, we find that incarceration, divorce, witnessing domestic violence, physical abuse and verbal abuse are associated with statistically significant decrement in education above and beyond the ACE score alone. Findings are consistent with most recent findings from developmental neurobiology and have implications for school routines as well as educational policy.

Authors

• Krista L. Goldstine-Cole, Harvard University

• Joe McIntyre, Harvard University