Study Highlights Widespread Childhood Adversity: 80.5 Percent of Adolescents Affected

Adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) are highly prevalent among U.S. adolescents, with 80.5 percent reporting at least one ACE, according to a new study published in Pediatrics. This study provides critical insights into the types and frequency of ACEs and underscores disparities across demographic groups.

Emotional Abuse and Poor Household Mental Health Among Most Common ACEs

The study, led by Elizabeth A. Swedo, M.D., M.P.H., of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), analyzed data from 16 states to estimate the prevalence of eight types of ACEs. The findings showed that emotional abuse had the highest prevalence among adolescents, affecting 65.8 percent, followed by poor household mental health (36.1 percent) and physical abuse (32.5 percent).

Overall, 80.5 percent of adolescents experienced at least one ACE, while 22.4 percent experienced four or more. Demographic analysis revealed that certain groups were disproportionately affected. Adolescents identifying as bisexual (42.1 percent), gay or lesbian (36.5 percent), or questioning their sexual identity (36.5 percent) reported the highest rates of experiencing four or more ACEs. Additionally, non-Hispanic multiracial adolescents (33.7 percent), non-Hispanic American Indian or Alaska Native adolescents (27.1 percent), and females (27.7 percent) were also among the most affected groups.

Why It Matters

The study’s findings emphasize the need for targeted prevention and intervention strategies that account for the unique challenges faced by different demographic groups. As the authors explain, “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 to prevention and intervention, to better support groups disproportionately impacted by ACEs.”

With 80.5 percent of adolescents experiencing at least one ACE and 22.4 percent enduring four or more, these findings highlight the widespread nature of childhood adversity and its long-term implications. Healthcare providers, educators, and policymakers must collaborate to implement culturally sensitive, evidence-based strategies to reduce the burden of ACEs and build resilience among affected populations.

By acknowledging the varied experiences of adolescents, these tailored approaches can better address the needs of those most at risk and improve outcomes for future generations.