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In a recent study published in Pediatrics, researchers have revealed that adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) are alarmingly common among adolescents in the United States, with 80.5 percent of teens having encountered at least one such experience. The study, conducted by Dr. Elizabeth A. Swedo, M.D., M.P.H., and her team from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), analyzed data from 16 states to determine the prevalence of ACEs across a diverse adolescent demographic.
ACEs, which encompass a range of traumatic experiences, have been linked to negative outcomes in mental and physical health, educational achievement, and social well-being. This comprehensive study identified that emotional abuse, poor mental health within households, and physical abuse were among the most prevalent types of ACEs reported, with respective rates of 65.8 percent, 36.1 percent, and 32.5 percent among surveyed teens.
The study’s findings reveal stark disparities among various demographic groups. Notably, 22.4 percent of adolescents reported experiencing four or more ACEs—a figure particularly high among females (27.7 percent), non-Hispanic multiracial teens (33.7 percent), non-Hispanic American Indian or Alaska Native youth (27.1 percent), as well as adolescents who identified as gay or lesbian (36.5 percent), bisexual (42.1 percent), or were uncertain of their sexual identity (36.5 percent). The researchers argue that these disparities underscore the need for intervention approaches that are sensitive to the unique challenges faced by adolescents from various racial, ethnic, and sexual minority groups.
“Differences in the experiences of ACEs by students belonging to racial, ethnic, or sexual minority groups highlight the need to tailor prevention and mitigation efforts to different social and cultural contexts, rather than employing a universal approach,” the study authors note. By recognizing these demographic variances, policies and support systems can be better designed to provide equitable support to those disproportionately affected by ACEs.
This study adds to a growing body of research that emphasizes the urgent need for policymakers, educators, and healthcare providers to consider the role of social identity and background in shaping adolescents’ experiences with trauma. As ACEs continue to impact millions of young people in the U.S., experts stress that a multifaceted and culturally sensitive approach is essential to fostering resilience and mitigating the long-term effects of childhood trauma.
For more information, see the full study: Swedo, E.A., et al. “Prevalence of Adverse Childhood Experiences Among Adolescents,” Pediatrics (2024). DOI: 10.1542/peds.2024-066633
