Adverse Childhood Experiences effects in Parenting: a Scoping Review

Nicolás Gabriel-Vacher, Claudia Capella

Abstract


This study used a scoping review to explore the effects of Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) on caregivers, analysing publications from 2018 to 2022. It focused on studies that investigated ACEs in mothers, fathers, and other caregivers of children aged 4 to 10, evaluating both caregiver and child variables. Out of the 2,041 articles identified, 19 met the inclusion criteria. The synthesis of these studies revealed significant impacts of ACEs in parenting, caregiver health, child health, and transgenerational effects. Although ACEs can negatively affect the development of adults and children, as well as parenting practices, they do not deterministically set risk trajectories. The study highlights support mechanisms that can be strengthened to facilitate recovery, such as the quality of the couple’s relationship and trauma reflective function. These findings underscore the importance of timely and effective interventions for caregivers with ACEs.

Keywords


Parenting; Adverse Childhood Experiences; Trauma; Mental Health; Intergenerationally

References


Anakwenze, O., & Rasmussen, A. (2021). The Impact of Parental Trauma, Parenting Difficulty, and Planned Family Separation on the Behavioral Health of West African Immigrant Children in New York City. Psychological trauma-theory research practice and policy, 13(4), 457–466. https://doi.org/10.1037/tra0001011

Atzl, V. M., Narayan, A. J., Rivera, L. M., & Lieberman, A. F. (2019). Adverse childhood experiences and prenatal mental health: Type of ACEs and age of maltreatment onset. Journal of Family Psychology, 33(3), 304–314. https://doi.org/10.1037/fam0000510

Baglivio, M. T., & Wolff, K. T. (2021). Positive Childhood Experiences (PCE): Cumulative Resiliency in the Face of Adverse Childhood Experiences. Youth Violence and Juvenile Justice, 19(2), 139–162. https://doi.org/10.1177/1541204020972487

Blair, K., Topitzes, J., & Mersky, J. P. (2019). Do Parents’ Adverse Childhood Experiences Influence Treatment Responses to Parent-Child Interaction Therapy? An exploratory Study with a Child Welfare Sample. Child & Family Behavior Therapy, 41(2), 73–83. https://doi.org/10.1080/07317107.2019.1599255

Borelli, J. L., Cohen, C., Pettit, C., Normandin, L., Target, M., Fonagy, P., & Ensink, K. (2019). Maternal and Child Sexual Abuse History: An Intergenerational Exploration of Children’s Adjustment and Maternal Trauma-Reflective Functioning. Frontiers in psychology, 10. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2019.01062

Bronfenbrenner, U., & Evans, G. W. (2002). Developmental Science in the 21st Century: Emerging Questions, Theoretical Models, Research Designs and Empirical Findings. Social Development, 9(1), 115–125. https://doi.org/10.1111/1467-9507.00114

Burke, J., Fitzhenry, M., Houghton, S., & Fortune, D. G. (2021). Breaking the cycle of intergenerational trauma: Evaluating the impact of parental adverse childhood experiences on parenting group outcomes using a mixed-methods approach. Children and youth services review, 130. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.childyouth.2021.106223

Clemens, V., Koehler-Dauner, F., Ziegenhain, U., & Fegert, J. M. (2021). Predictors of Parental Coping During the Covid-19 Pandemic: A Survey in Germany. Frontiers In Psychology, 12. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2021.715327

Condon, E. M., Tobon, A. L., Holland, M. L., Slade, A., Mayes, L., & Sadler, L. S. (2021). Examining Mothers’ Childhood Maltreatment History, Parental Reflective Functioning, and the Long-Term Effects of the Minding the Baby® Home Visiting Intervention. Child Maltreatment, 27(3), 378-388. https://doi.org/10.1177/1077559521999097

Dennis, C. H., Clohessy, D. S., Stone, A. L., Darnall, B. D., & Wilson, A. C. (2019). Adverse Childhood Experiences in Mothers With Chronic Pain and Intergenerational Impact on Children. Journal Of Pain, 20(10), 1209–1217. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jpain.2019.04.004

Felitti, V. J., Anda, R. F., Nordenberg, D., Williamson, D. F., Spitz, A. M., Edwards, V., Koss, M. P., & Marks, J. S. (1998). Relationship of childhood abuse and household dysfunction to many of the leading causes of death in adults: The adverse childhood experiences (ACE) study. American Journal of Preventive Medicine, 14(4), 245–258. https://doi.org/10.1016/s0749-3797(98)00017-8

Fitzgerald, M., London-Johnson, A., & Gallus, K. L. (2020). Intergenerational transmission of trauma and family systems theory: an empirical investigation. Journal of Family Therapy, 42(3), 406–424. https://doi.org/10.1111/1467-6427.12303

Fraiberg, S., Adelson, E., & Shapiro, V. (1975). Ghosts in the Nursery. Journal of the American Academy of Child Psychiatry, 14(3), 387–421. https://doi.org/10.1016/s0002-7138(09)61442-4

Gabriel-Vacher, N., Miranda, I., Olhaberry, M., Capella, C., Morán-Kneer, J., Núñez, L., Alamo, N., & Meza, C. (2022). The adverse childhood experiences of caregivers of children who have been victims of sexual assault: their relationship with the parental alliance in child. Studies in Psychology, 43(3), 688-707. https://doi.org/10.1080/02109395.2022.2139347

Giano, Z., Wheeler, D. L., & Hubach, R. D. (2020). The frequencies and disparities of adverse childhood experiences in the U.S. BMC Public Health, 20(1), 1327. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-020-09411-z

Glaus, J., Perizzolo, V. P., Moser, D. A., Vital, M., Serpa, S. R., Urben, S., Plessen, K. J., & Schechter, D. S. (2021). Associations Between Maternal Post-traumatic Stress Disorder and Traumatic Events With Child Psychopathology: Results From a Prospective Longitudinal Study. Frontiers in Psychiatry, 12. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyt.2021.718108

Harris, M., MacMillan, H., Andrews, K., Atkinson, L., Kimber, M., England-Mason, G., & Gonzalez, A. (2021). Maternal adverse childhood experiences, executive function & emotional availability in mother-child dyads. CHILD ABUSE & NEGLECT, 111. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chiabu.2020.104830

Hatch, V., Swerbenski, H., & Gray, S. A. O. (2020). Family social support buffers the intergenerational association of maternal adverse childhood experiences and preschoolers’ externalizing behavior. American Journal of Orthopsychiatry, 90(4), 489–501. https://doi.org/10.1037/ort0000451

Howes, P. W., Cicchetti, D., Toth, S. L., & Rogosch, F. A. (2000). Affective, organizational, and relational characteristics of maltreating families: A system’s perspective. Journal of Family Psychology, 14(1), 95. https://doi.org/10.1037/0893-3200.14.1.95

Jahng, K. E. (2020). South Korean mothers’ childhood abuse experience and their abuse of their children with intellectual and developmental disabilities: Moderating effect of parenting self-efficacy. CHILD ABUSE & NEGLECT, 101. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chiabu.2019.104324

Koehn, A. J., & Kerns, K. A. (2018). Parent–child attachment: meta-analysis of associations with parenting behaviors in middle childhood and adolescence. Attachment & Human Development, 20(4), 378–405. https://doi.org/10.1080/14616734.2017.1408131

Kumar, M., Amugune, B., Madeghe, B., Wambua, G. N., Osok, J., Polkonikova-Wamoto, A., Bukusi, D., Were, F., & Huang, K.-Y. (2018). Mechanisms associated with maternal adverse childhood experiences on offspring’s mental health in Nairobi informal settlements: a mediational model testing approach. BMC PSYCHIATRY, 18. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12888-018-1953-y

Lafavor, T., de Boer, D., & Poole, M. (2020). Intergenerational Effects of Early Parental Adversity on Child Developmental Outcomes among Families Living in Emergency Homeless Shelters. Journal of Health Care for the Poor and Underserved, 31(3), 1264–1280. http://dx.doi.org/10.1353/hpu.2020.0093

Lange, B. C. L., Callinan, L. S., & Smith, M. v. (2019). Adverse Childhood Experiences and Their Relation to Parenting Stress and Parenting Practices. Community Mental Health Journal, 55(4), 651–662. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10597-018-0331-z

Langevin, R., Hebert, M., & Wallace, A. (2021). The intersection of intimate partner violence and childhood sexual abuse in mother-child dyads. Child Abuse & Neglect, 120. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chiabu.2021.105218

Lünnemann, M. K. M., Horst, F. C. P. V. der, Prinzie, P., Luijk, M. P. C. M., & Steketee, M. (2019a). The intergenerational impact of trauma and family violence on parents and their children. Child Abuse & Neglect, 96. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chiabu.2019.104134

Marzilli, E., Cerniglia, L., Tambelli, R., Trombini, E., de Pascalis, L., Babore, A., Trumello, C., & Cimino, S. (2021). The COVID-19 Pandemic and Its Impact on Families’ Mental Health: The Role Played by Parenting Stress, Parents’ Past Trauma, and Resilience. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 18(21). https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph182111450

Masten, A. S., & Cicchetti, D. (2010). Developmental cascades. Development and Psychopathology, 22(3), 491–495. https://doi.org/10.1017/S0954579410000222

Murphy, A., Steele, M., Dube, S. R., Bate, J., Bonuck, K., Meissner, P., Goldman, H., & Steele, H. (2014). Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) Questionnaire and Adult Attachment Interview (AAI): Implications for parent child relationships. Child Abuse and Neglect, 38(2), 224–233. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chiabu.2013.09.004

Narayan, A. J., Hagan, M. J., Cohodes, E., Rivera, L. M., & Lieberman, A. F. (2019). Early Childhood Victimization and Physical Intimate Partner Violence During Pregnancy: A Developmental and Person-Oriented Approach. Journal of Interpersonal Violence, 34(1), 3–26. https://doi.org/10.1177/0886260516639261

Page, M. J., McKenzie, J. E., Bossuyt, P. M., Boutron, I., Hoffmann, T. C., Mulrow, C. D., Shamseer, L., Tetzlaff, J. M., Akl, E. A., Brennan, S. E., Chou, R., Glanville, J., Grimshaw, J. M., Hróbjartsson, A., Lalu, M. M., Li, T., Loder, E. W., Mayo-Wilson, E., McDonald, S., … Moher, D. (2021). The PRISMA 2020 statement: an updated guideline for reporting systematic reviews. BMJ, n. 71. https://doi.org/10.1136/bmj.n71

Pisani Altafim, E. R., de Oliveira, R. C., & Martins Linhares, M. B. (2021). Maternal History of Childhood Violence in the Context of a Parenting Program. Journal Of Child And Family Studies, 30(1), 230–242. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10826-020-01868-1

Savage, L.-É., Tarabulsy, G. M., Pearson, J., Collin-Vézina, D., & Gagné, L.-M. (2019). Maternal history of childhood maltreatment and later parenting behavior: A meta-analysis. Development and Psychopathology, 31(1), 9–21. https://doi.org/10.1017/S0954579418001542

Sepúlveda, G. (2013). Psicoterapia evolutiva con niños y adolescentes. Santiago: Mediterráneo.

Testoni, I., Mariani, C., & Zamperini, A. (2018). Domestic Violence Between Childhood Incest and Re-victimization: A Study Among Anti-violence Centers in Italy. Frontiers in Psychology, 9. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2018.02377

Tricco, A. C., Lillie, E., Zarin, W., O’Brien, K. K., Colquhoun, H., Levac, D., Moher, D., Peters, M. D. J., Horsley, T., Weeks, L., Hempel, S., Akl, E. A., Chang, C., McGowan, J., Stewart, L., Hartling, L., Aldcroft, A., Wilson, M. G., Garritty, C., … Straus, S. E. (2018). PRISMA Extension for Scoping Reviews (PRISMA-ScR): Checklist and Explanation. Annals of Internal Medicine, 169(7), 467–473. https://doi.org/10.7326/M18-0850

Zeanah, C. H., & Doyle, P. (2019). Infant Mental Health The Clinical Science of Early Experience. In Handbook of Infant Mental Health (4th ed.). The Guilford Press.

Zhang, K., Wu, B., & Zhang, W. (2022). Adverse childhood experiences in relation to comorbid cardiovascular diseases and diabetes among middle-aged and old adults in China. Geriatrics & Gerontology International, 22(1), 12–18. https://doi.org/10.1111/ggi.14312




DOI: https://doi.org/10.18256/2175-5027.2024.v16i1.5173

Refbacks

  • There are currently no refbacks.


Bookmark and Share


Copyright (c) 2024 Nicolás Gabriel-Vacher, Claudia Capella

ISSN 2175-5027

Licença Creative Commons
Este obra está licenciada com uma Licença Creative Commons Atribuição 4.0 Internacional.

BASES DE DADOS E INDEXADORES

 DOAJ.jpg Periódicos CAPES
latindex.jpg
 
dialnet.png
 
REDIB
Diadorim.jpg
    SIS
circ.png