The rise of adverse childhood experiences during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Abstract

Adverse childhood experiences, which is defined by different forms of abuse, neglect, and household dysfunction occurring before the age of 18 years, is a major public health problem in the United States that has the potential to worsen in the current COVID-19 pandemic. Moreover, the challenge is even greater for children and youth from low-income communities and communities of color. Thus, there is a greater need for investments in youth-serving systems within and beyond health care and public health to effectively address adverse childhood experiences and prevent its short-and long-term negative health and social sequelae well beyond the current public health crisis. Clinical Impact StatementGiven the likely increase in adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) during the coronavirus pandemic, it is vital that we assess for these experiences more intentionally and more broadly when this pandemic concludes. Assessing for ACEs is standard practice in some places already but must become a standard practice in all pediatric care so we can mitigate the impact of these ACEs for a generation of children.

COVID-19 in the Pediatric Population—Review and Current Evidence

“…Thus, children are at higher risk than usual to neglect abuse and domestic violence [91][92][93]. Despite increased incidence of child abuse and neglect during COVID-19 pandemic [93,94], the number of official reports to maltreatment lines in a few US states decreased sharply, raising a concern of under-reporting due to decreased contact with the insulted children. Spotting signs for abuse and assessing home safety through distance learning should be practiced [93].…”

Identifying Predictors of Psychological Distress During COVID-19: A Machine Learning Approach

“…Adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) also have a tremendous impact on general mental health and well-being across the lifespan ( Felitti et al, 1998 ; Hughes et al, 2017 ). Although ACEs do not appear to have been researched in the context of pandemics, it is probable that individuals with childhood trauma are at increased risk for psychological distress during the COVID-19 crisis ( Bryant et al, 2020 ). Other risk factors associated with adverse mental health outcomes include low socioeconomic status and being a racial and/or ethnic minority.…”

"Oh, this is actually okay": Understanding how one state child welfare training system adapted to the COVID-19 pandemic

“…Much has been written, in both popular and academic press, about the heightened risk of child abuse and neglect during the COVID-19 pandemic ( Boserup, McKenney, & Elkbuli, 2020 ; Bryant, Oo, & Damian, 2020 ; Campbell, 2020 ; Griffith, 2020 ; Jonson-Reid, Drake, Cobetto, & Ocampo, 2020 ; Latsch, Eberitzsch, & Ofelia Brink, 2020 ; Leslie & Wilson, 2020 ; Posick, Schueths, Christian, Grubb, & Christian, 2020 ; Roca, Melgar, Gairal-Casadó, & Pulido-Rodríguez, 2020 ; Roje Đapić, Buljan Flander, & Prijatelj, 2020 ; Stewart, 2020 ; Teo & Griffiths, 2020 ; Usher, Bhullar, Durkin, Gyamfi, & Jackson, 2020 ; Woodall, 2020 ; World Health Organization, 2020 ). Although the impact of the pandemic on child maltreatment is not yet clear, there is substantial reason to be concerned about rising rates and severity of abuse and neglect.…”