Intersectionality and Adverse Childhood Experiences: Comparing Subgroups of Sex, Race/Ethnicity, and Sexual Orientation

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Citation

Giano, Zachary; Schwab-Reese, Laura M.; Mishra, Aura A.; Hubach, Randolph D.; Johnson, Rachel L.; Epperson, C. Neill; & Sammel, Mary D. (2023). Intersectionality and Adverse Childhood Experiences: Comparing Subgroups of Sex, Race/Ethnicity, and Sexual Orientation. American Journal of Preventive Medicine, 65(1), 30-38. PMCID: PMC10293038

Abstract

INTRODUCTION: This study investigated the intersectionality of adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) among subgroups of sex, race/ethnicity, and sexual orientation.
METHODS: Using data from the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance Survey across 34 states (N=116,712) from 2009 to 2018, authors stratified subgroups of sex (male/female), race/ethnicity (White/Hispanic/Black/multiracial/other), and sexual orientation (heterosexual/bisexual/gay) to investigate the number of ACEs across groups. Analyses were conducted in 2022.
RESULTS: Stratification resulted in 30 distinct subgroups (e.g., bisexual Black females, straight multiracial males) with significant post hoc differences per group. Generally, those identifying as sexual minority individuals had the highest number of ACEs (the top 14 of 30 subgroups), whereas 7 of the top 10 subgroups were female. Surprisingly, no clear patterns emerged by race/ethnicity, although the 2 largest groups (straight White females and straight White males) were 27th and 28th of 30, respectively.
CONCLUSIONS: Although studies have examined ACEs by individual demographic variables, less is known about the extent to which ACEs are present in stratified subgroups. Sexual minority subgroups (particularly female bisexual subgroups) trend toward a higher number of ACEs, whereas heterosexual subgroups (regardless of sex) comprised the lowest 6 groups with respect to ACEs. Implications include further examination of bisexual and female subgroups (including specific ACE domain investigations) to identify the vulnerable population.

URL

http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.amepre.2023.01.025

Reference Type

Journal Article

Year Published

2023

Journal Title

American Journal of Preventive Medicine

Author(s)

Giano, Zachary
Schwab-Reese, Laura M.
Mishra, Aura A.
Hubach, Randolph D.
Johnson, Rachel L.
Epperson, C. Neill
Sammel, Mary D.

Article Type

Regular

PMCID

PMC10293038

Data Set/Study

Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS)

Continent/Country

United States of America

State

Nonspecific

Race/Ethnicity

White
Hispanic
Black

ORCiD

Mishra - 0000-0001-8083-714X