Positive and adverse childhood experiences and mental health outcomes of children.

OBJECTIVE: Researchers and policymakers have identified adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) like abuse, neglect, and household dysfunction as a contributing factor to poor mental health outcomes for children. Positive childhood experiences (PCEs) like open family communication styles, having the ability to live and play in a safe, stable, and protective environment, having constructive opportunities for social engagement, and receiving mentorship from adults have been found to improve the mental health of children. PURPOSE: This paper explores the role of ACEs and PCEs on the mental health outcomes of children. METHOD: A sample of 22,628 children ages 6-17 from the National Survey of Children's Health (2017-2020) was used to explore the relationship between PCEs and ACEs and the mental health of children. Logistic regression analysis is used to model the effect of PCEs and ACEs on the odds of child mental health diagnoses. RESULTS: Findings indicate that with each additional ACE, there was a significant increase in the odds of reporting a MH condition (OR = 1.25, 95 % CI 1.09-1.43). Conversely, with each additional PCE, there is a significant decrease in the odds or reporting a MH condition (OR = 0.76, 95 % CI 0.68-0.84). There was also evidence that PCEs moderate the relationship between ACEs and reports of mental health conditions. When counts of ACEs are low, PCEs provide a protective effect on reports of mental health. But when the count of ACEs are high, children with higher numbers of PCEs have similar reports of mental health conditions. SUMMARY: This study provides information about the moderating effect of PCEs on the relationship between ACEs and child mental health diagnosis with the goal of informing policies and interventions focused on ameliorating the growing crisis of children's negative mental health and well-being. WHAT IS KNOWN?: Adverse childhood events (ACEs) like abuse, neglect and household dysfunction are known to negatively impact the mental health and well-being of children. Positive childhood experiences (PCEs), on the other hand, can positively influence the mental health and well-being of children. WHAT DOES THIS ARTICLE ADD?: This study examines the association between adverse and positive childhood experiences to understand how they impact the mental health outcomes of children ages 6-17. Findings indicate that when ACEs are lower, the impact of PCEs are positive, but when ACEs are higher, PCEs do not make much difference in reports of mental health problems.

Shared Decision Making and Treatment for Minority Children With ADHD.

Shared decision making (SDM) involves the patient and family in medical decisions regarding treatment. The purpose of this article is to utilize the 2016 National Survey of Children's Health to explore whether family engagement in SDM increases the odds of treatment for children with ADHD, and more specifically, if the presence of SDM is associated with the reduction of racial and ethnic disparities in treatment. Multivariate logistic regression was used to model the odds of treatment for each racial/ethnic group controlling for sociodemographic and health-related variables. Results indicated that White and Multiracial families engaged in SDM were twice as likely to report treatment for ADHD. Black and Latinx families, however, showed no difference in treatment for ADHD when SDM was present. Based on these findings, we conclude that SDM may be less important for Black and Latinx families when making treatment decisions for children with ADHD.

Sex, Age, Race/Ethnicity, Veteran Status, and the Likelihood of Reporting Cardiovascular Conditions in the National Health Interview Survey.

BACKGROUND: This study explores the likelihood of reporting the presence of cardiovascular health conditions in the National Health Interview Survey, with a focus on the moderating effects of veteran status, race/ethnicity, age, sex, and functional status. METHOD: Data from the 2012-2015 National Health Interview Survey examine 5 cardiovascular health conditions/risk factors (hypertension, coronary heart disease, heart conditions, stroke, and heart attack). RESULTS: Age, sex, and functional status moderate the relationship between veteran status and cardiovascular conditions. Veterans who are younger (veteran × age) have a higher risk of reporting 1 cardiovascular condition compared with veterans who are older (relative risk [RR], 0.99; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.99-0.99). Veterans with functional limitations (veteran × functional status) are at a lower risk of reporting 3 or more cardiovascular conditions compared with veterans with no functional limitations (RR, 0.73; 95% CI, 0.56-0.95). Interaction variables in the model (veteran × sex) show that female veterans had a higher risk than did female non-veterans of reporting 3 or more cardiovascular conditions compared with male veterans versus male non-veterans (RR, 0.71; 95% CI, 0.53-0.95). Race/ethnicity does not moderate the likelihood of reporting cardiovascular disease conditions in this sample. CONCLUSION: This study demonstrates that previous military service is linked to the reporting of cardiovascular disease conditions by using nationally representative data to examine the moderating effects of veteran status on the relationship between race/ethnicity, sex, functional status, and age and cardiovascular disease for veterans living in the general US population. The findings suggest a waning healthy soldier effect for the youngest American veterans and indicate that female veterans' cardiovascular health is at greatest risk.

Veterans' Likelihood of Reporting Cardiovascular Disease.

OBJECTIVE: Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the most common chronic health condition affecting Americans. One important group of Americans that health researchers have noted as key to understanding general population health and wellbeing are veterans of the US military. The healthy soldier effect has been used to explain the health benefits of military service during and for a period of time after service. The purpose of this study was to examine the prevalence of CVD in a national sample with specific attention paid to reported CVD across ages. METHODS: A total of 153,556 veteran and nonveteran respondents from the National Health Interview Survey were examined for the likelihood of reporting the type and number of cardiovascular conditions. RESULTS: Veterans report higher rates of certain CVD conditions and report a higher number of CVD conditions than nonveterans. Veterans also reported higher numbers of CVD conditions at younger ages (ages 25 to 70 years) than nonveteran counterparts. At older ages (ages 70 to 85+ years), nonveterans reported higher numbers of CVD conditions than veterans. DISCUSSION: Our findings are consistent with the studies that indicate a waning healthy soldier effect for young veterans potentially due to the unique circumstances of the current conflicts.

Barriers to college success among students that experienced adverse childhood events.

Objective: This study examines the relationship between adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) and academic barriers to college success. Participants: College students (n = 525) were surveyed about exposure to ACEs and academic barriers on a large university campus in the Southeast. Methods: Multivariate regression was used to model the academic barriers among college students for students with different levels of ACEs exposure controlling for depression, health and family barriers, and sociodemographic characteristics. Results: Students with ACEs reported more family difficulties and health problems compared with those without ACEs. Depressive symptomology, poorer health ratings, and other health and family issues significantly predicted higher counts of academic barriers. Conclusions: Students with ACEs face greater difficulty with relation to health and family barriers which in turn impacts academic barriers.

Individualized Education Program Development Among Racially/Ethnically Diverse Children and Adolescents with Health Conditions.

Background Black, Hispanic, and low income children bear a greater burden of chronic health conditions compared to wealthier white counterparts. Under federal law, schools provide services to children when their health conditions impair learning. These school services, called individualized education programs (IEPs) can reduce disparities in school outcomes. This paper examines the extent to which children with health conditions have an IEP plan, an important first step in understanding service utilization. Method Andersen's Behavioral Model was used to examine IEP plan presence by using the 2012 National Survey of Children's Health. School aged children (6-17), with at least one health condition (N = 16,496) were examined using multivariable logistic regression analysis to understand predisposing (age, sex, race/ethnicity), enabling (family and neighborhood), and need (health related) factors as predictors of having an IEP plan. Race/ethnicity interaction terms tested for moderating effects of race/ethnicity on the relationship between predisposing, enabling and need factors and having an IEP plan. Results Hispanic children were 93.4 % (OR = .066) less likely and Black children were 87.9 % (OR = .121) less likely to have an IEP plan compared to White children. Black, Hispanic, and Multiracial children were more likely to have an IEP plan if they had more family and neighborhood resources (OR range 1.37-1.62) and greater health needs and health care needs (OR range 1.29-2.57). Conclusion The Behavioral Model was useful in predicting the presence of IEP plans among racially/ethnically diverse children with health conditions as an important step in understanding disparities in healthcare access in schools.

Activity-Limiting Musculoskeletal Conditions in US Veterans Compared to Non-Veterans: Results from the 2013 National Health Interview Survey.

Past military service is associated with health outcomes, both positive and negative. In this study we use the 2013 National Health Interview Survey to examine the constellation of conditions referred to as musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) for Veterans and non-veterans with health conditions that limit their daily activities. Multivariate logistic regression analysis reveal that Veterans are more likely to report MSDs like neck and back problems, fracture bone and joint problems as an activity limiting problem compared to non-veterans. The relationship between age and reports of activity limiting MSDs is moderated by Veteran status. Veterans in this sample report more activity limiting MSDs at younger ages compared to non-veterans and fewer MSDs at older ages. This research contributes to our understanding of potentially limiting health conditions at earlier ages for Veterans.

Neuro-otologic manifestations of tuberculosis. "The great imitator".

OBJECTIVE: To demonstrate the different neuro-otologic clinical presentations of tuberculosis. STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective clinical analysis. RESULT: 83.3% of the cases of ear or central nervous system TB were without concomitant lung disease. 2 cases had primary infection in the central nervous system. The neuro-otologic manifestation was as follows: 85.7% sensorineural hearing loss; 42% polyneuropathy. 71.4% had granulation tissue. 2 had normal otoscopy. In 6 patients the histopathology and Ziehl Neelsen were confirmatory. One case was confirmed by the positive response to treatment with antituberculosis drugs. CONCLUSIONS: Tuberculosis has a wide variety of neurotologic manifestations from chronic otitis media cadres to vestibular, audiological and neurological manifestations as well as a large variability in imaging studies.

Parental strain, parental health, and community characteristics among children with attention deficit-hyperactivity disorder.

OBJECTIVE: It has been documented that parenting a child with attention deficit-hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) can cause family strain, but less is known about the added stress of additional child health diagnoses on levels of strain. This study explores the relationship between family stressors (such as child comorbid conditions) and family resources (such as social support, community characteristics, and parental health) on parental strain. METHODS: We used the 2007 National Survey of Children's Health (NSCH) to identify children with ADHD and other comorbid mental and physical health conditions (n = 5473). Descriptive, bivariate, and multivariate analyses were conducted to explore the association between parental strain, social support, mother's mental health, and neighborhood amenities within groups of children with ADHD and comorbid conditions. RESULTS: Parental strain was greatest when ADHD was paired with a conduct disorder, physical disorder, or other mental health disorder. Specifically, parental strain was greatest for children with ADHD plus a comorbid conduct disorder compared with ADHD alone. It was also greater for children with other mental and physical health diagnoses compared with children with ADHD alone. Better mental health of mothers in the sample is related to reduced parental strain. Greater access to social support and neighborhood amenities also are related to reduced parental strain. CONCLUSIONS: Greater levels of social support and better mental health of parents is associated with decreased strain. Interventions aimed at relieving stress and building strategies to improve mental health can be beneficial for families with children with ADHD and comorbid conditions.

Racial and ethnic variation in ADHD, comorbid illnesses, and parental strain.

Our objective was to understand the racial and ethnic variation in parental strain for non-Latino White, African American, and Latino parents of children with ADHD and other comorbid diagnoses. We selected 5,397 children with a current diagnosis of ADHD from the 2007 National Survey of Child Health (NSCH) and identified comorbid conditions that could cause additional parental strain. Multivariate regression analyses of parental strain, from ADHD plus comorbid physical and mental health conditions, varied by race and ethnicity in our sample. Additionally we found variables such as mother's mental health, family structure and social support to play significant roles in parental strain. These findings indicate a need for greater understanding of the family mechanisms in place that affect parental strain for these varying populations of families. Interventions to reduce parental strain also need to be tailored to the specific needs of racially and ethnically diverse parents of children with ADHD.

Problems with veteran-family communication during operation enduring freedom/operation Iraqi freedom military deployment.

Twenty Reserve component (Army and Marines) and Army National Guard male veterans of Operational Enduring Freedom/Operation Iraqi Freedom discuss their deployment and postdeployment family reintegration experiences. A Grounded Theory approach is used to highlight some of the ways in which family miscommunication during deployment can occur. Communication with civilian family members is affected by the needs of operational security, technical problems with communication tools, miscommunication between family members, or because veterans have "nothing new to say" to family back home. These communication difficulties may lead to an initial gulf of understanding between veterans and family members that can cause family strain during postdeployment family reintegration. We end with a discussion of veteran family reintegration difficulties.

Factors associated with a medical home among children with Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder.

Providing a medical home to children with Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is challenging. Little is known about the factors associated with having a medical home for these children, or how comorbidities affect having a medical home. Our study aims are: (1) identify factors associated with having a medical home and five sub-components of a medical home and (2) determine the effect of medical home on several outcomes for children with ADHD. The sample included 5,495 children with ADHD from the 2007 National Survey of Children's Health. Descriptive and multivariate analyses were conducted. Children with ADHD alone and children with ADHD plus a physical diagnosis had greater frequencies of having a medical home, or meeting the five sub-components, than children with ADHD plus a mental diagnosis. Multivariate results show that children with ADHD plus a physical and/or mental comorbidity were 24-63% more likely to be without a medical home compared to children with only ADHD. Having a medical home also had a bearing on several child health outcomes. Having a medical home was significantly associated with being less likely to have an unmet health need and having fewer missed school days; but also being less likely to have received needed mental health care (P < .05). Our results suggest that there are differences in parent's perceptions of receiving care among children with ADHD. Pediatric medical home projects and policies should acknowledge that children with ADHD often have comorbidities making their care more complex. These complexities should be addressed during practice transformation and setting reimbursement policies.

Social isolation poststroke: relationship between race/ethnicity, depression, and functional independence.

Research suggests that individuals recovering from a stroke often experience social isolation, which is linked to increased depressive symptomatology and decreased ability to manage activities of daily living. Research also indicates that different racial and ethnic groups are more adversely affected than whites. This article uses poststroke narratives to explore the relationship between social isolation, depressive symptomatology, and the ability to manage activities of daily living poststroke for white, African American, and Puerto Rican veterans. Findings suggest those who were socially isolated during the first year of poststroke recovery reported higher levels of depressive symptoms and a decreased ability to manage daily activities. Implications for stroke rehabilitation practice are discussed.

Using military friendships to optimize postdeployment reintegration for male Operation Iraqi Freedom/Operation Enduring Freedom veterans.

Social relationships are important to health out comes. The postdeployment family reintegration literature focuses on the role of the civilian family in facilitating the transition from Active Duty military deployment to civilian society. The focus on the civilian family relationship may miss other important personal connections in veterans' lives. One such connection is the relationship many veterans have with former military unit members who served with them when deployed. Drawing on interviews with male Operation Iraqi Freedom/Operation Enduring Freedom veterans conducted from 2008 to 2009, we argue that the members of a military unit, especially during armed conflict, should be considered a resource to help the "family" reintegration process rather than impede it. This research has implications for current reintegration policy and how best to assist veterans transitioning into civilian society.

Veteran family reintegration, primary care needs, and the benefit of the patient-centered medical home model.

Men and women returning from the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq face a multitude of difficulties while integrating back into civilian life, but the importance of their veteran status is often overlooked in primary care settings. Family physicians have the potential to be the first line of defense to ensure the well-being of veterans and their families because many will turn to nonmilitary and non-Veterans Affairs providers for health care needs. An awareness of the unique challenges faced by this population is critical to providing care. A patient-centered medical home orientation can help the family physician provide veterans and their families the care they need. Specific recommendations for family physicians include screening their patient population; providing timely care; treating the whole family; and integrating care from multiple disciplines and specialties, providing veterans and families with "one-stop shopping" care. An awareness of the unique challenges faced by veterans and their families translates into better overall outcomes for this population.

Salud de la mujer: using fotonovelas to increase health literacy among Latinas.

BACKGROUND: There is an identified need for health literacy strategies to be culturally sensitive and linguistically appropriate. OBJECTIVES: The goal of our community-based participatory research (CBPR) project related to health and nutrition is to demonstrate that active community involvement in the creation of health education fotonovelas that are relevant to culture, ethnicity, gender, social class, and language can increase the health literacy of women in a disadvantaged community. METHODS: We recruited 12 women to take part in our pilot fotonovela intervention about healthy eating and nutrition. Pre- and post-test assessments of knowledge, attitudes, and behavior around nutrition were given at baseline and will be collected after the completion of the project. RESULTS: We hypothesize that post-test assessments of our participants will reveal increased nutrition knowledge as well as positive changes in attitudes and behavior toward healthy eating. CONCLUSIONS: We believe that our fotonovelas will represent experiences of community members and encourage good health practices by increasing knowledge and cooperation among community members.

Racial/ethnic variation in recovery of motor function in stroke survivors: role of informal caregivers.

Research documents that African American and Latinos who have experienced an acute stroke recover more slowly than Caucasians in the United States. This descriptive study examines (1) the variation in Caucasian, Puerto Rican, and African American motor function after stroke; (2) the association between caregiver attributes and motor recovery after stroke; and (3) the degree to which caregiver attributes explain the variation in motor recovery between different racial/ethnic groups. One hundred and thirty-five veterans who had been hospitalized after an acute stroke, released home, and identified an informal caregiver were enrolled in the study. Veterans and caregivers were surveyed at five time points over the course of 24 months. Results indicate that Puerto Ricans show greater impairment and African Americans show less impairment at discharge from the hospital compared with Caucasians. Caregiver characteristics mediate the racial/ethnic differences in impairment at discharge and motor recovery across time.