In Australia, 41% of women reported to have had some form of childhood adversity, most commonly, psychological abuse.
Childhood adversity, such as emotional and physical neglect and abuse, has a long-term impact on the mental and physical health of the affected individual, with a landmark study in the USA showing a strong relationship between exposure to adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) and risk factors for the leading causes of death in adults.
It's understood that early trauma and life stressors during childhood have an influence on adulthood functioning, with positive childhood experiences (PCEs), mitigating these effects and independently improving child wellbeing.
However, there is little evidence on the intergenerational influence of ACEs in Western Australia - particularly on the impact of maternal adverse childhood experiences on reproductive birth and infant outcomes.
The aim of ACE is to carefully investigate the effect of adverse childhood experiences and positive childhood experiences of mothers on pregnancy and birth outcomes, and their child's health and wellbeing, through analysis of the ORIGINS cohort.
Researchers hope to inform universal antenatal screening for maternal ACEs which could transform their prenatal care, provide opportunities for early intervention and support, and work to end the cycle of disadvantage.
Specific aims are:
- To quantify the effect of mothers‘ ACEs and PCEs on the pregnancy, delivery and newborn.
a) Assess the contribution of ACEs with the absense of PCEs on the occurrence of symptoms indicating maternal stress during pregnancy, including hypertensive disorders and adverse obstetric outcomes.
b) Explore the association between mothers' ACEs and the child's birth outcomes, including low birthweight, small for gestational age, and preterm birth. - To describe in detail the impact of mothers' ACEs and PCEs on the child's development and wellbeing.
a) Explore the association between mothers' ACEs and PCEs and the child's development and behaviour, and if this is mediated through perinatal depression. Researchers will further assess if these associations are modified by antenatal and postnatal attachment and perceived social support.
b) Investigate the likelihood of ACEs for eight-year-old children of mothers who have experienced ACEs. The association between mothers' ACEs and the child's ACEs will be examined and stratified according to maternal socio-economic status, antenatal and postnatal attachment, and perceived social support.
Investigators
- Dr Kristjana Einarsdottir at The Kids Research Institute Australia
- Dr Lisa Gibson at The Kids Research Institute Australia
- Dr Jackie Davis at The Kids Research Institute Australia