Principle Investigator(s):
Funder: Research Education Institute for Diverse Scholars (REIDS)
Project period: 06/03/2019 - 06/02/2020
Grant Type: Research
Abstract Text:
Research strongly implicates childhood psychological trauma, or "adverse childhood experiences" (ACEs), as one of the top ten leading preventable causes of death in the United States. ACEs include physical violence and neglect, sexual abuse, and emotional and psychological trauma. Early adverse childhood experiences dramatically increase risky health behaviors such as suicidal behaviors, poor physical activity, substance abuse and HIV risk behaviors. ACE's are often interrelated with childhood abuse, neglect, and family dysfunction on adult health and well-being. HIV research has found ACEs as significant contributing factor of HIV risk. Moreover, ACEs are highly prevalent among women living with HIV and are associated with an increased likelihood of experiencing depression and anxiety in adulthood.
