Influence of race/ethnicity and income on the link between adverse childhood experiences and child flourishing

Abstract

Abstract Background The impact of early adversity increases the risk of poor outcomes across the life course. Identifying factors that protect against or contribute to deleterious life outcomes represents an important step in resilience promotion among children exposed to adversity. Informed by resilience science, we hypothesized that family resilience mediates the relationship between adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) and child flourishing, and these pathways vary by race/ethnicity and income. Methods We conducted a secondary data analysis using the 2016–17 National Survey of Children’s Health data reported by parents/guardians for 44,686 children age 6–17 years. A moderated-mediation model estimated direct, indirect, and total effects using a probit link function and stacked group approach with weighted least square parameter estimates. Results The main variables were related in expected directions. Family resilience partially mediated the ACEs-flourishing association. Although White and socioeconomically advantaged families were more likely to maintain family resilience, their children functioned more poorly at high-risk levels relative to Black and Hispanic children and across income groups. Conclusion Children suffer from cumulative adversity across race/ethnicity and income. Partial mediation of family resilience indicates that additional protective factors are needed to develop comprehensive strategies, while racial/ethnic differences underscore the importance of prevention and intervention programs that are culturally sensitive. Impact The key message of the article reinforces the notion that children suffer from cumulative adversity across race/ethnicity and income, and prevention of ACEs should be the number one charge of public policy, programs, and healthcare. This is the first study to examine family resilience in the National Survey Children’s Health (NSCH) data set as mediating ACEs-flourishing by race/ethnicity and family poverty level. Examining an ACEs dose–response effect using population-based data within the context of risk and protective factors can inform a public health response resulting in a greater impact on prevention efforts.