Jessica Vervoort-Schel1, Gabriëlle Mercera2, Inge Wissink3, Peer Van der Helm4, Ramón Lindauer5, Xavier Moonen6. 1. Koraal Centre of Expertise, De Hondsberg, Hondsberg 5, 5062 JT Oisterwijk, the Netherlands; Department of Child Development and Education, University of Amsterdam, Nieuwe Achtergracht 127, 1018 WS Amsterdam, the Netherlands. Electronic address: jvervoort@koraal.nl. 2. Koraal Centre of Expertise, De Hondsberg, Hondsberg 5, 5062 JT Oisterwijk, the Netherlands; Department of Psychiatry and Neuropsychology, Maastricht University, Vijverdalseweg 1, 6226 NB Maastricht, the Netherlands. 3. Department of Child Development and Education, University of Amsterdam, Nieuwe Achtergracht 127, 1018 WS Amsterdam, the Netherlands. 4. Expert Centre Social Work and Applied Psychology, Professional University of Applied Sciences Leiden, Zernikedreef 11, 2333 CK Leiden, the Netherlands; Fier, National Expertise and Treatment Centre, Holstmeerweg 1, 8936 AS Leeuwarden, the Netherlands; Amsterdam UMC, University of Amsterdam, Department Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Meibergdreef 5, 1105 AZ Amsterdam, the Netherlands. 5. Amsterdam UMC, University of Amsterdam, Department Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Meibergdreef 5, 1105 AZ Amsterdam, the Netherlands; Levvel, Academic Centre for Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Meibergdreef 5, 1105 AZ Amsterdam, the Netherlands. 6. Koraal Centre of Expertise, De Hondsberg, Hondsberg 5, 5062 JT Oisterwijk, the Netherlands; Department of Child Development and Education, University of Amsterdam, Nieuwe Achtergracht 127, 1018 WS Amsterdam, the Netherlands.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) are an overlooked risk factor for behavioural, mental and physical health disparities in children with intellectual disabilities (ID) and borderline intellectual functioning (BIF). AIMS: To gain insight into the presence of the 10 original Wave II ACEs and family context risk variables in a convenience sample of children with ID and BIF in Dutch residential care. METHODS AND PROCEDURES: 134 case-files of children with ID (n = 82) and BIF (n = 52) were analysed quantitatively. OUTCOMES AND RESULTS: 81.7 % of the children with ID experienced at least 1 ACE, as did 92.3 % of the children with BIF. The average number of ACEs in children with ID was 2.02 (range 0-8) and in children with BIF 2.88 (range 0-7). About 20 % of the children with moderate and mild ID experienced 4 ACEs or more. Many of their families faced multiple and complex problems (ID: 69.5 %; BIF 86.5 %). Multiple regression analysis indicated an association between family context risk variables and the number of ACEs in children. CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS: The prevalence of ACEs in children with ID and BIF appears to be considerably high. ACEs awareness in clinical practice is vital to help mitigate negative outcomes.
BACKGROUND: Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) are an overlooked risk factor for behavioural, mental and physical health disparities in children with intellectual disabilities (ID) and borderline intellectual functioning (BIF). AIMS: To gain insight into the presence of the 10 original Wave II ACEs and family context risk variables in a convenience sample of children with ID and BIF in Dutch residential care. METHODS AND PROCEDURES: 134 case-files of children with ID (n = 82) and BIF (n = 52) were analysed quantitatively. OUTCOMES AND RESULTS: 81.7 % of the children with ID experienced at least 1 ACE, as did 92.3 % of the children with BIF. The average number of ACEs in children with ID was 2.02 (range 0-8) and in children with BIF 2.88 (range 0-7). About 20 % of the children with moderate and mild ID experienced 4 ACEs or more. Many of their families faced multiple and complex problems (ID: 69.5 %; BIF 86.5 %). Multiple regression analysis indicated an association between family context risk variables and the number of ACEs in children. CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS: The prevalence of ACEs in children with ID and BIF appears to be considerably high. ACEs awareness in clinical practice is vital to help mitigate negative outcomes.
Authors: Xavier Moonen; Dederieke Festen; Esther Bakker-van Gijsel; Jessica Vervoort-Schel Journal: Int J Environ Res Public Health Date: 2022-09-16 Impact factor: 4.614