303 - Qualitative study of adverse childhood experiences and positive childhood experiences of United States Latino children in immigrant families and parents

Poster Number: 303
Publication Number: 303.1737

Background: Deportation, detention, and discrimination are detrimental to the well-being of children in immigrant families (CIF) but are not part of traditional adverse childhood experience (ACE) screening. ACEs and positive childhood experiences (PCEs) can be frameworks to understanding the impact of early life experiences on long-term health. A comprehensive understanding of ACEs and PCEs identified by Latino CIF and their parents is critical if we are to provide trauma-informed, resilience-promoting care.

Objective: This study aimed to explore ACEs and PCEs among Latino CIF and their parents who have experienced immigration-related trauma themselves or in their family or community.

Design/Methods: This qualitative study was conducted between February 2021 and September 2023 in two cities where a large number of immigrants have not historically lived: Cincinnati, OH, and Baltimore, MD. We conducted 7 focus groups and 7 one-on-one interviews with Latino CIF aged 8-22 years and immigrant Latino parents ≥18 years in Spanish or English based on participant preference. CIF focus groups and interviews were conducted concurrently and age-stratified. Each focus group or interview was conducted and recorded via Zoom, transcribed verbatim, translated (as needed), and coded using thematic analysis. An initial codebook was refined after a review of two transcripts for each session type (children, teenagers, young adults, parents). Each transcript was coded by 2-3 team members. Discrepancies were resolved by consensus. Coded excerpts were extracted to identify themes and sub-themes, which were organized by ACEs and PCEs.

Results: Focus groups and interviews included a total of 30 participants (12 Latino CIF, 18 parents). Adverse neighborhood experiences (e.g., drugs, gun violence, theft) were common in both CIF and parents. Feelings of discrimination were common in CIF (vs. parents); stress from immigration was more evident in parents. Positive experiences for both CIF and parents most commonly involved nurturing relationships and social-emotional competencies (e.g., self-regulation).

Conclusion(s): Latino CIF and immigrant parents described additional adverse experiences beyond the home and environmental ACEs captured in existing screening tools that research suggests have impact on early and lifelong health. Positive experiences identified are similar to those captured by PCE measures focused on nurturing relationships at home and in the community. Our findings suggest that complementing ACE assessments with other social factors may enable better measures of current and future child and family well-being among Latino CIF.