Understanding the Pathways Between ACEs and Early Social-Emotional Development: A National SEM Study

• In Event: AERA Roundtable Session Thursday 9:45 am - Gold 2
  In Roundtable Session: Social-Emotional Development and Regulation

Abstract

This population-based study investigates how adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) affect early social-emotional development, with a focus on the mediating roles of parental stress and family resilience. Using data from the 2021 National Survey of Children’s Health (NSCH), we applied structural equation modeling to examine both direct and indirect pathways between ACEs and four social-emotional domains: behavioral problems, social competence, emotional competence, and self-regulation. Results indicate the dual role of family resilience and parental stress. ACEs are associated with increased parental stress and decreased family resilience, which then predict child outcomes. This study advances our understanding of how risk and protective factors shape early social-emotional development and informs trauma-informed, family-centered interventions to address the effects of ACEs on young children’s development.

Authors

• Chin-Chih Chen, Virginia Commonwealth University

• Fa Zhang, Open University of China

• Yaoying Xu, Virginia Commonwealth University

• Yuyan Xia, University of Kentucky

• Jamie L. Cage, Virginia Commonwealth University