A607B: Adverse childhood experiences among Australian women.

Adverse childhood experiences among Australian women.

Approved: 2018

Collaborators:

Prof Deborah Loxton
Dr Catherine Chojenta
Dr Xenia Dolja-Gore
Ms Peta Forder
Dr Amy Anderson
A/Prof Jan Coles
Ms Natalie Townsend
Prof Liz Holliday
Mr Dominic Cavenagh
Dr Alemu Sufa Melka
Ms Emma Byrnes

Synopsis

The Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACE) scale has been widely used in the U.S. population. Findings have indicated that adults who have experienced adversity in childhood have poorer overall health and are more likely to use tobacco, illicit drugs and use alcohol at risky levels. The ACE scale was pilot tested with the 1989-1995 cohort in 2014 and was rolled out to the main 1989-1995 cohort in 2015. This current project will examine the endorsement and validity of the ACE scale among the 1989-1995 cohort participants, with further examination of the prevalence of childhood abuse and trauma and its correlates. The examination of the prevalence of childhood abuse and trauma and its correlates will also be extended to the 1973-78 cohort and 1946-51 cohort. In addition, we aim to examine the relationship between ACEs, childhood abuse and trauma with medical and other health care costs.