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Effects of Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) on Control of Diabetes

Mentzel, Tammy K.

Abstract Details

2015, MPH, University of Cincinnati, Medicine: Epidemiology.
Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) are defined as abuse, neglect and other traumatic events that are experienced by individuals under the age of 18. The historic landmark ACE study showed as the number of ACEs increase, the risk for health problems also increases in a strong and graded fashion. The ACE study also found a relationship between the number of traumatic childhood experiences and the health and well-being of the individual as an adult. The present study examined the prevalence of ACEs in an adult cohort from an urban community health center and the association between the number of ACEs and poor diabetic control as well as social demographic characteristics of the cohort. The study involved administering the validated ACE questionnaire to 112 subjects and recording the latest A1C test result. The cohort ranged in age from 25 to 78 years, 65% were black and 29% were white, 45% had more than a high school education. ACE score ranged from 0 to 9 with a mean score of 2.8 (SD, 2.3) with 14% having a score of 0; 21% with a score of 1; 16% with a score of 2; 17% with a score of 3; and 32% with a score of = 4. A1C ranged from 5.0 to 13.4 with a mean of 7.9 (SD, 1.8). Comparing A1C and ACE to social demographics showed gender to be significant with a mean A1C for females of 7.7 (SD, 1.5) compared to males 8.2 (SD, 2.2) with a p-value of 0.021. ACE mean for females was 3.3 (SD, 2.4) compared to males 2.2 (SD, 2.0) with a p-value of .011. Incidences of ACEs by gender were also found to be significant with women recalling more incidences of sexual abuse (p=0.001) and emotional neglect (p=0.020). Incidences of ACEs by race/ethnicity was significant for physiological abuse (p=0.049), parental divorce (p=0.006), witnessing maternal violence (p=0.025) and household criminal activity (p=0.052) between whites and blacks and significant for physical abuse between blacks and others (p=0.035). Incidences of ACEs by educational level was significant for recalling household criminal activity between those who had less than a high school degree compared to those with more than a high school degree (p=0.006). Total A1C was significantly influenced by the ACE category of psychological abuse (p=0.053). The present study found a significantly higher prevalence of ACEs compared to the original landmark ACE study. It was also found that A1C and ACE items were related to social demographics. These findings support the need for further research to determine if social demographic related interventions could reduce the health effects of ACEs.
Susan Pinney, Ph.D. (Committee Chair)
Christine Odea, M.D. (Committee Member)
Jun Ying, Ph.D. (Committee Member)
59 p.

Recommended Citations

Citations

  • Mentzel, T. K. (2015). Effects of Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) on Control of Diabetes [Master's thesis, University of Cincinnati]. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=ucin1447690892

    APA Style (7th edition)

  • Mentzel, Tammy. Effects of Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) on Control of Diabetes. 2015. University of Cincinnati, Master's thesis. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center, http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=ucin1447690892.

    MLA Style (8th edition)

  • Mentzel, Tammy. "Effects of Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) on Control of Diabetes." Master's thesis, University of Cincinnati, 2015. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=ucin1447690892

    Chicago Manual of Style (17th edition)