Primary Submission Category: Migration
Sociodemographic Correlates of Adverse Childhood Experiences Among Children in Non-Hispanic White, Non-Hispanic Black and Hispanic Immigrant Households
Authors: Angela Campbell, Wura Jacobs,
Presenting Author: Angela Campbell*
Abstract
Objective. Despite the growing immigrant population in the U.S., there is limited literature on patterns, types, and determinants of adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) experienced by children in immigrant households. This study examines sociodemographic determinants of ACEs among children in Hispanic, Non-Hispanic (NH) Black, and NH White immigrant households.
Study Design. The National Survey of Children’s Health (2016-2023) was utilized to obtain a nationally representative sample of children (ages 0-17) in Hispanic, NH Black, and NH White immigrant households (N=32,168) for a cross-sectional study. Descriptive statistics and multinomial logistic regression models were used to examine the correlates of low ACEs (1 ACE) and high ACEs (2 or more ACEs).
Results. NH Black immigrant households had the highest percentage of children experiencing high ACEs. Each incremental increase in income was associated with decreased odds of high ACE exposure among NH Black immigrant children, but NH White and Hispanic immigrant children only benefited from increased income if they were in the highest income bracket (<400% of the poverty line) Having English as the primary household language was associated with increased odds of low ACE exposure among all racial/ethnic groups.
Conclusions. This study, one of the first, documents patterns and structural correlates of ACEs among children in Hispanic, NH Black, and NH White immigrant households. ACEs prevalence patterns mirror those in the general population, with children in NH Black immigrant households at highest risk. The impact of sociodemographic factors varies across immigrant racial/ethnic groups, pointing to the complex interplay between socio-structural factors and immigrant group-specific stressors.