Effects of Adverse Childhood Experiences on Developmental Outcomes for Head Start Eligible Low Income Children

This study examined the effects of adverse childhood experiences (ACE)s on Head Start eligible low-income children's developmental outcomes based on the Head Start Impact Study data (n = 4442). The ACEs consisted of parental alcohol/drug use, parental depression, neglectful parenting practices, family violence, and household risk factors. Children's developmental outcomes were cognitive, socio-emotional, and health outcomes. The following questions were explored: (a) Do ACEs have an impact on children's cognitive, social, and health outcomes? (b) Does the Head Start program have any impact on the effects between ACEs and children's cognitive, social and health outcomes? Regression analysis indicated that children who had more ACEs had significantly lower cognitive test scores, lower socio-emotional scores, and negative health outcomes. Children who enrolled Head Start had higher cognitive, social, and health outcomes than those who did not enroll Head Start. Further, Head Start impact differed depending on number of ACEs. More Head Start eligible children should attend Head Start and Head Start participant children need to be accessed for their risk factors. Head Start impact should consider ACEs to measure developmental outcomes for children in poverty and provide trauma-informed care by considering adverse childhood experiences. A future study was suggested to address additional impacts and possible implication, in the context of pandemic stress that affect preschool aged children and their families, from this similar demographic background.