Felitti et al (1998)

• Aim


  To investigate the relationship between adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) and various health risk factors in adulthood.
• Research Method

  • Correlational study
  • Cross-sectional design
• Procedure


  1. Participants underwent a standardized medical evaluation at a clinic.
  2. Questionnaires were sent to these individuals, focusing on 7 ACEs:

  • Physical abuse
  • Psychological abuse
  • Sexual abuse
  • Domestic violence against mother
  • Living with a caregiver who was:
  • Suicidal
  • A substance abuser
  • Imprisoned

  1. ACE data was correlated with health status information from the clinic evaluation.
• Sample:

  8,506 participants (50% women, 43% with university degrees), mean age 56.1 years (range: 19-92)
• Results

  • Strong relationship found between the number of ACEs and health risk factors.
  • As the number of ACEs increased, so did the prevalence and risk of:
  • Major Depressive Disorder (MDD)
• Conclusion

  The study concluded that there is a significant correlation between adverse childhood experiences and various health risk factors in adulthood. The more ACEs an individual experienced, the higher their risk for developing health problems later in life.
• Strengths:

  1. Large sample size (n = 8,506)

  • Increases statistical power and reliability of results
  • Enhances generalizability of findings

  1. High ecological validity

  • Investigated real-life experiences and their long-term effects
  • Findings more applicable to real-world situations

  1. Ethical approach

  • Studying ACEs experimentally would be unethical
  • Correlational design allows for investigation of sensitive topics

  1. Predictive value

  • Allows for predictions about health risks based on ACE exposure
  • Useful for developing preventive interventions
• What is a limitation of self-reported data?


  It has the potential for bias or inaccurate recall.
• How does retrospective design affect data reliability?


  It relies on participants' memories of past events, which can lead to recall bias.
• What is a consequence of using a cross-sectional design in research?


  It provides a snapshot rather than tracking changes over time.
• What limitation does a cross-sectional study have regarding temporal sequence?


  It cannot establish the temporal sequence of events.
• What is a limitation regarding the scope of Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs)?


  It didn't include factors like divorce, bullying, or discrimination.
• Why might the study of ACEs not capture all relevant adverse experiences?


  Because it may not include all factors that contribute to adverse experiences.
• What is a limitation regarding the intensity or duration of ACEs in research?


  There is no control for ACE intensity or duration, treating all ACEs as equally impactful.
• What does the lack of causal inference imply in ACE studies?


  It cannot establish cause-and-effect relationships, limiting the conclusions drawn.
• What is the third variable problem in the context of ACEs?


  Other factors might explain the correlations, making it difficult to isolate the specific impact of ACEs.
• What does bidirectional ambiguity refer to in ACE research?


  It is unclear which variable influences the other, such as health problems potentially increasing vulnerability to ACEs.