Prevalence and related factors of adverse childhood experiences in psychiatric inpatients

Abstract

Adverse childhood experiences (ACEs), including childhood abuse and trauma, have long-term negative effects on health. The purpose of this study was to examine the prevalence and cumulative number of ACEs in psychiatric inpatients (N=53, mean age of 53.1). In addition, we examined associations between the cumulative numbers of ACEs and the onset of psychiatric disorder. We used the ACE checklist of eight items, including parental divorce or separation and childhood abuse. We investigated ACEs at baseline and after 10-14 weeks. Of the study participants, 68% had schizophrenia or a schizotypal and delusional disorder (F2) and 17% had mood (affective) disorders (F3); 58.5% reported at least one ACE, with the mean cumulative number of 1.2. Participants reports regarding the experience of an ACE were consistent over 10-14 weeks (κ=0.87). Similarly, the cumulative number of ACEs was stable (κ=0.73). Participants who had experienced ACEs had earlier ages of first visit and hospitalization than those who without ACEs. These findings were consistent with those in previous studies. It is important that clinicians should routinely assess and consider information about ACEs.