An Assessment of Harm in Adults—Adverse Childhood Experiences Screening in Primary Care: A Survey-Based Study
The Adverse Childhood Experiences Questionnaire (ACE-Q) screens for adverse childhood experiences (ACEs), which are linked to increased disease risk. Although pediatric studies report no adverse effects of ACE-Q use, primary care data is limited. This study examined adult patients’ experiences with...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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SAGE Publishing
2025-06-01
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| Series: | Journal of Patient Experience |
| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1177/23743735251344505 |
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| author | Katelyn M. Inch MSc Craig Olmstead MD, CCFP Brenna A. Kaschor MD, PhD, CCFP |
| author_facet | Katelyn M. Inch MSc Craig Olmstead MD, CCFP Brenna A. Kaschor MD, PhD, CCFP |
| author_sort | Katelyn M. Inch MSc |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | The Adverse Childhood Experiences Questionnaire (ACE-Q) screens for adverse childhood experiences (ACEs), which are linked to increased disease risk. Although pediatric studies report no adverse effects of ACE-Q use, primary care data is limited. This study examined adult patients’ experiences with ACE-Q screening in primary care. Adults (18+) at a primary care center in London, Ontario, completed the ACE-Q and a follow-up questionnaire evaluating ACE screening experience. Correlations assessed relationships between ACE-Q scores and follow-up responses. Among 260 participants, 81% reported at least one ACE. Most (82%) felt comfortable discussing stressful childhood experiences with their healthcare provider. Higher ACE scores were associated with increased discomfort (r s = −0.166, P = 0.007), feeling upset by the ACE-Q (r s = 0.173, P = 0.005), and greater interest in learning about ACEs (r s = 0.177, P = 0.004). Overall, ACE-Q screening in primary care was generally well-received, with most patients recognizing its relevance despite some discomfort. These findings highlight the potential for integrating ACE screening into routine primary care to address long-term health risks. Further research is needed to confirm findings and optimize screening practices. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-e5a19f529cc64054b6f2d73e136e3a6c |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 2374-3743 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-06-01 |
| publisher | SAGE Publishing |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Journal of Patient Experience |
| spelling | doaj-art-e5a19f529cc64054b6f2d73e136e3a6c2025-08-20T03:29:03ZengSAGE PublishingJournal of Patient Experience2374-37432025-06-011210.1177/23743735251344505An Assessment of Harm in Adults—Adverse Childhood Experiences Screening in Primary Care: A Survey-Based StudyKatelyn M. Inch MSc0Craig Olmstead MD, CCFP1Brenna A. Kaschor MD, PhD, CCFP2 Department of Health Sciences, , London, Ontario, Canada Department of Family Medicine, , , London, Ontario, Canada Department of Family Medicine, , , London, Ontario, CanadaThe Adverse Childhood Experiences Questionnaire (ACE-Q) screens for adverse childhood experiences (ACEs), which are linked to increased disease risk. Although pediatric studies report no adverse effects of ACE-Q use, primary care data is limited. This study examined adult patients’ experiences with ACE-Q screening in primary care. Adults (18+) at a primary care center in London, Ontario, completed the ACE-Q and a follow-up questionnaire evaluating ACE screening experience. Correlations assessed relationships between ACE-Q scores and follow-up responses. Among 260 participants, 81% reported at least one ACE. Most (82%) felt comfortable discussing stressful childhood experiences with their healthcare provider. Higher ACE scores were associated with increased discomfort (r s = −0.166, P = 0.007), feeling upset by the ACE-Q (r s = 0.173, P = 0.005), and greater interest in learning about ACEs (r s = 0.177, P = 0.004). Overall, ACE-Q screening in primary care was generally well-received, with most patients recognizing its relevance despite some discomfort. These findings highlight the potential for integrating ACE screening into routine primary care to address long-term health risks. Further research is needed to confirm findings and optimize screening practices.https://doi.org/10.1177/23743735251344505 |
| spellingShingle | Katelyn M. Inch MSc Craig Olmstead MD, CCFP Brenna A. Kaschor MD, PhD, CCFP An Assessment of Harm in Adults—Adverse Childhood Experiences Screening in Primary Care: A Survey-Based Study Journal of Patient Experience |
| title | An Assessment of Harm in Adults—Adverse Childhood Experiences Screening in Primary Care: A Survey-Based Study |
| title_full | An Assessment of Harm in Adults—Adverse Childhood Experiences Screening in Primary Care: A Survey-Based Study |
| title_fullStr | An Assessment of Harm in Adults—Adverse Childhood Experiences Screening in Primary Care: A Survey-Based Study |
| title_full_unstemmed | An Assessment of Harm in Adults—Adverse Childhood Experiences Screening in Primary Care: A Survey-Based Study |
| title_short | An Assessment of Harm in Adults—Adverse Childhood Experiences Screening in Primary Care: A Survey-Based Study |
| title_sort | assessment of harm in adults adverse childhood experiences screening in primary care a survey based study |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1177/23743735251344505 |
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