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The relationship between parental adverse childhood experiences and the health, well-being and development outcomes of their children: a systematic review

Research output: Contribution to Journal/MagazineJournal articlepeer-review

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<mark>Journal publication date</mark>30/06/2023
<mark>Journal</mark>Public Health
Volume219
Number of pages8
Pages (from-to)146-153
Publication StatusPublished
Early online date13/05/23
<mark>Original language</mark>English

Abstract

Objectives
A growing body of research is emerging regarding the relationship between parental adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) and negative health, well-being and developmental outcomes in their children. This systematic review seeks to understand the relationship between parental ACEs and the health, well-being and developmental outcomes of their children and whether the relationships differ according to the number and type of parental ACEs.

Study design
Systematic review.

Method
The review includes articles published between 2000 and 2021 from studies using quantitative longitudinal methods and multivariate analysis to investigate the relationship between parental ACEs and their offspring's outcomes. Relevant studies were identified through a systematic search of five databases and findings synthesised using a narrative synthesis. This review was registered on PROSPERO (CRD42021274068).

Results
Nineteen studies met the inclusion criteria and were included in the review. This resulted in a combined population sample of 124,043 parents and 128,400 children. Diversity in measurement of parental ACE exposure and in the type of ACEs measured within the studies precluded a meta-analysis. Offspring of parents exposed to ACEs had a higher risk of a range of negative health, well-being and developmental outcomes. This relationship differs according to the number and type of parental ACEs, with a positive relationship observed between the number of parental ACEs and the risk of negative health, well-being and development outcomes in their children.

Conclusions
These findings indicate that screening for parental ACEs by health visitors, midwives and other health or social care staff may identify an at-risk population of infants, children and adolescents and improve child outcomes.