Cited by 252Child Abuse and TraumaSubstance Abuse Treatment and OutcomesChild Welfare and Adoption

Patterns of adverse childhood experiences and substance use among young adults: a latent class analysis

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Shin, Sunny H., McDonald, Shelby Elaine, Conley, David·2018·Addictive Behaviors

Abstract

Introduction Adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) have been strongly linked with subsequent substance use. The aim of this study was to investigate how different patterns of ACEs influence substance use in young adulthood.Methods Using a community sample of young individuals (N=336; ages 18-25), we performed latent class analyses (LCA) to identify homogenous groups of young people with similar patterns of ACEs. Exposure to ACEs incorporates 13 childhood adversities including childhood maltreatment, household dysfunction, and community violence. Multiple linear and logistic regression models were used in an effort to examine the associations between ACEs classes and four young adult outcomes such as alcohol-related problems, current tobacco use, drug dependence symptoms, and psychological distress.Results LCA identified four heterogeneous classes of young people distinguished by different patterns of ACEs exposure: Low ACEs (56%), Household Dysfunction/Community Violence (14%), Emotional ACEs (14%), and High/Multiple ACEs (16%). Multiple regression analyses found that compared to those in the Low ACEs class, young adults in the High/Multiple ACEs class reported more alcohol-related problems, current tobacco use, and psychological symptoms, controlling for sociodemographic characteristics and common risk factors for substance use such as peer substance use.Conclusions Our findings confirm that for many young people, ACEs occur as multiple rather than single experiences. The results of this research suggest that exposure to poly-victimization during childhood is particularly related to substance use during young adulthood.

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  1. Dube SR Miller JW Brown DW Giles WH Felitti VJ Dong M Anda RF 2005 Adverse childhood experiences and the association with ever using alcohol and initiating alcohol use during adolescence Journal of Adolescent Health 38 444 16549308

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Authors
Shin, S. H., McDonald, S. E., & Conley, D.
Affiliations
Virginia Commonwealth University (US)
Corresponding author
Shin, Sunny H.
Venue
Addictive Behaviors
Publisher
Elsevier BV
Published
2018-03
Volume
78
Pages
187-192
ISSN
0306-4603 (ISSN-L)
OpenAlex
W2769617421
Cited by
252
References
53
Citations by year
2026: 21 · 2025: 25 · 2024: 42 · 2023: 43 · 2022: 35 · 2021: 42 · 2020: 19 · 2019: 19 · 2018: 6
FWCI
14.89
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Locations
  • Addictive Behaviors (acceptedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
  • Europe PMC (PubMed Central) (acceptedVersion)
  • PubMed Central (acceptedVersion)
Funders
  • AMBRF (NIDA DA030884)
  • The Foundation for Alcohol Research
Topics
  • Social Sciences › Psychology › Clinical Psychology › Child Abuse and Trauma
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Epidemiology › Substance Abuse Treatment and Outcomes
  • Social Sciences › Safety Research › Child Welfare and Adoption
Keywords
adverse childhood experiences, substance use, young adults, child abuse, household dysfunction, community violence, polyvictimization, alcohol-related problems, tobacco use, drug addiction, psychological distress
MeSH terms
Physical Abuse, Exposure to Violence, Adult Survivors of Child Adverse Events, Adverse Childhood Experiences, Adolescent, Adult, Child, Child Abuse, Female, Humans, Male, Stress, Psychological, Domestic Violence, Crime Victims, Substance-Related Disorders, Young Adult

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