Examining the Differing Effects of Economic Hardship and Poor Maternal Wellbeing on Cumulative Exposure to Adverse Childhood Experiences

Extensive research supports a strong and cumulative relationship between adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) and risky adult behaviors, mental health disorders, diseases, and health status. Additional factors, such as poor maternal wellbeing and economic hardship, compound the detrimental health and wellbeing implications associated with childhood exposure to ACEs. However, limited research has explored the differentiating effects of economic hardship and maternal wellbeing on a child's cumulative ACE exposure. This study examined the differing effects of poor maternal wellbeing and economic hardship on a child's exposure to ACEs. This study used a random sub-sample (n = 4000) from the 2011 to 2012 National Survey on Children's Health (NSCH), a nationally representative cross-sectional study of children (N = 95,677) between birth and 17 years old. Confirmatory factor analysis results revealed greater economic hardship had a significant direct effect on a child's ACE exposure and poorer maternal wellbeing. Poor maternal wellbeing had a significant mediation-like effect on the relationship between economic hardship and a child's cumulative ACE exposure. Practice and policy implications include early ACE assessments tailored to identify children and families experiencing adversity across multiple domains.