Poster #154 - Threat and Deprivation: Investigating Outcomes Associated with Two Different Dimensions of Adverse Childhood Experiences

• In Event: 3-106 - Poster Session 11
  In Poster Session: PS 11 Section - Parenting & Parent-Child Relationships

Integrative Statement

Adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) have been repeatedly implicated in long-term negative physical and psychological health outcomes (Felitti, Anda, et al., 1998). Although significant dose-response effects have been found for ACEs, with more adversity conferring greater risk for negative outcomes, the basic mechanisms underlying this association have yet to be fully documented. Recently, McLaughlin, Sheridan and Lambert, (2014) proposed that two separate dimensions of adversity, Threat and Deprivation, have distinct effects on neurological development, specifically fear learning circuits, resulting in different outcomes in mouse models. The present study investigated whether Threat and Deprivation dimensions of the original ACEs questionnaire would predict different psychological and health outcomes in humans. Additionally, we examined whether specific protective and compensatory experiences (PACEs) would mitigate these effects. Our study included 199 undergraduate students (M age = 21.4) who completed surveys online. Measures included the 10-item ACE scale as well as standardized scales measuring childhood protective factors and psychological and health outcomes. Measures of hope, resiliency, and social support were also included. ACEs items were categorized as Threat (e.g., physical abuse, domestic violence) or Deprivation (e.g., physical or emotional neglect), and groups were created for participants who experienced both Threat and Deprivation and those who experienced only Deprivation. The mean ACE score for the entire sample was 2.5. Results indicated that both the Threat and Deprivation dimensions of ACEs predicted current perceived stress and symptoms of depression and anxiety (see Table 1). Protective factors in childhood (PACES) were negatively associated with both Threat and Deprivation. Although both dimensions were similarly associated with psychological outcomes in the entire sample, a one-way ANOVA revealed a significant difference in negative outcomes between individuals that had experienced both Threat and Deprivation compared to those having only experienced Deprivation (see Figure 2). Experiencing both dimensions during childhood was associated with significantly more symptoms of depression and anxiety as well as poorer overall health. Addtionally, experiencing both Threat and Deprivation was associated with lower scores on measures of current hope and resiliency compared to experiencing Deprivation alone. The findings indicate that Threat and Deprivation, examined separately, do not predict differential psychological and health outcomes; however, it appears that experiencing both dimensions increases the likelihood of negative outcomes compared to only experiencing Deprivation. This finding suggests that alterations in the development of fear learning circuits may be a key risk mechanism for psychopathology and poor health. Protective factors appear to similarly mitigate negative outcomes associated with both dimensions of adversity. However, feelings of hope and self-efficacy are greatly diminished for individuals that have experienced both dimensions during childhood compared to those having only experienced Deprivation. The additive effects of childhood abuse and neglect may be especially detrimental to resiliency-related constructs, potentially resulting in worse psychological and health outcomes. Implications of this study include the need for interventions adapted based on the co-occurrence of types of ACEs with a specific focus on resiliency-related constructs for those having experienced both Threat and Deprivation.

Authors

• Erin L. Ratliff, Oklahoma State University
  Presenting Author

• Amanda Sheffield Morris, Oklahoma State University
  Non-Presenting Author

• Lana Beasley, Oklahoma State University
  Non-Presenting Author

• Jennifer Hays-Grudo, Oklahoma State University
  Non-Presenting Author

• Jens Erik Jespersen, Oklahoma State University
  Non-Presenting Author

• Kara L. Kerr, Oklahoma State University
  Non-Presenting Author

• Lucia Ciciolla, Oklahoma State University
  Non-Presenting Author