Adverse childhood experiences during childhood and academic attainment at age 7 and 11 years: an electronic birth cohort study

Evans, A. ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-8463-5251, Hardcastle, K., Bandyopadhyay, A., Farewell, D. ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-8871-1653, John, A., Lyons, R.A., Long, S. ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1284-9645, Bellis, M.A. and Paranjothy, S. ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0528-3121 2020. Adverse childhood experiences during childhood and academic attainment at age 7 and 11 years: an electronic birth cohort study. Public Health 189 , pp. 37-47. 10.1016/j.puhe.2020.08.027

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Abstract

Objectives Adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) have a negative impact on childhood health, but their impact on education outcomes is less well known. We investigated whether or not ACEs were associated with reduced educational attainment at age 7 and 11 years. Study design The study design used in the study is a population-based electronic cohort study. Methods We analysed data from a total population electronic child cohort in Wales, UK. ACEs (exposures) were living with an adult household member with any of (i) serious mental illness, (ii) common mental disorder (CMD), (iii) an alcohol problem; (iv) child victimisation, (v) death of a household member and (vi) low family income. We used multilevel logistic regression to model exposure to these ACEs and not attaining the expected level at statutory education assessments, Key Stage (KS) 1 and KS2 separately, adjusted for known confounders including perinatal, socio-economic and school factors. Results There were 107,479 and 43,648 children included in the analysis, with follow-up to 6–7 years (KS1) and 10–11 years (KS2), respectively. An increased risk of not attaining the expected level at KS1 was associated with living with adult household members with CMD (adjusted odds ratio [aOR]: 1.13 [95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.09–1.17]) or an alcohol problem (adjusted odds ratio [aOR]: 1.16 [95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.10–1.22]), childhood victimisation (adjusted odds ratio [aOR]: 1.58 [95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.37–1.82]), death of a household member (adjusted odds ratio [aOR]: 1.14 [95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.04–1.25]) and low family income (adjusted odds ratio [aOR]: 1.92 [95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.84–2.01]). Similar results were observed for KS2. Children with multiple adversities had substantially increased odds of not attaining the expected level at each educational assessment. Conclusion The educational potential of many children may not be achieved due to exposure to adversity in childhood. Affected children who come in to contact with services should have relevant information shared between health and care services, and schools to initiate and facilitate a coordinated approach towards providing additional support and help for them to fulfil their educational potential, and subsequent economic and social participation.

Item Type:	Article
Date Type:	Published Online
Status:	Published
Schools:	Medicine Social Sciences (Includes Criminology and Education)
Publisher:	WB Saunders
ISSN:	0033-3506
Date of First Compliant Deposit:	7 December 2020
Date of Acceptance:	27 August 2020
Last Modified:	13 Nov 2024 13:30
URI:	https://orca.cardiff.ac.uk/id/eprint/136801

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