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Jacqueline Dye, Psy.D., is a 2020 graduate of the Psy.D. Program in Clinical Psychology at Antioch University, New England

Dissertation Committee:

  • Gargi Roysircar, EdD, Committee Chair
  • Laurie Guidry, PsyD, Committee Member
  • Anthony Giuliano, PhD, Committee Member

Keywords

intellectual disability, adverse childhood experiences, problem behaviors

Document Type

Dissertation

Publication Date

2020

Abstract

Adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) have detrimental effects on health and psychological outcomes in the general population (Felitti et al., 1998). Individuals with the diagnosis of intellectual developmental disorder (IDD) are at increased risk for adverse events and may be vulnerable to poor outcomes, including problem behaviors (Hatton & Emerson, 2004; Hulbert-Williams et al., 2014). The present study examined relationships among Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACE) questionnaire (Felitti et al., 1998) items, total score, and problem behaviors for adults with IDD receiving community-based care. Participants (N = 41) were referred by a developmental services agency for a review of their archived records, which were used to rate the ACE questionnaire and count incidents of problem behaviors. Odds Ratios revealed the ACE item Parental Drug Abuse increased the odds 6-fold for elopement (p < .05), and 11-fold for property destruction (p < .01). Kendall’s Tau-B correlations revealed significant positive correlations of Parental Alcohol Abuse and elopement (Tb = .34, p < .05). Adoption had a significant, but small positive correlation with total incident reports (Tb = .27, p < .05), and total ACE scores of 4 or greater increased the odds for criminal charges (OR = 6.23, 95% CI= 1.39, 27.84, p < .05). There were also significant negative correlations between the ACE items, Witnessing Domestic Violence, Forced Rape, and Parental Incarceration with aggression (p < .05). Total ACE scores and ACE item, Forced Rape, also had significant negative correlations with total incident reports (p < .05). These results, as well as improvements in the collection of patient data for trauma-informed care among development service agencies, are discussed.

Comments

Jacqueline Dye

ORCID Scholar ID# 0000-0003-4987-6049

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