Is There an “Immigrant Paradox” in Exposure to Adverse Childhood Experiences?

Despite higher levels of poverty, immigrant Hispanic children had fewer reported adverse childhood experiences than Hispanic children from U.S.-native families.

Adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) have not been well explored in immigrant populations, leading to uncertainty about the utility and interpretation of current ACE questionnaires for immigrant children.

Using data from the National Survey of Children's Health, researchers compared the number of ACEs (maximum, 9) reported by parents for 6863 Hispanic children in immigrant families (foreign-born or U.S.-born child with at least 1 foreign-born parent) and for 5299 Hispanic children in U.S.-native families. ACE exposure was categorized as no (0 ACEs), low (1 ACE), or high (≥2 ACEs).

More Hispanic children in immigrant families than in U.S.-native families lived in poverty, defined as living at ≤200% of the federal poverty level (80% vs. 47%; P<…

Reviewing Author

John D. Cowden, MD, MPH

Disclosures

Nothing to disclose

John D. Cowden, MD, MPH

Disclosures

Nothing to disclose

Is There an “Immigrant Paradox” in Exposure to Adverse Childhood Experiences?

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Reviewing Author