Introduction
A recent study conducted by researchers at UCLA Health has revealed a significant correlation between adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) and increased school absenteeism due to health-related issues. This research underscores the profound impact that early life adversities can have on both the health and educational outcomes of children.
Understanding Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs)
Adverse childhood experiences encompass a range of traumatic events that occur during childhood, such as exposure to violence, neglect, or discrimination. These experiences can have lasting effects on a child’s physical and mental health, potentially leading to chronic absenteeism from school.
Key Findings of the Study
The study utilized data from the 2021–2022 National Health Interview Survey, which included responses from parents of over 10,000 children aged 6 to 17. The researchers found that even a single ACE increased the likelihood of chronic absenteeism due to illness, injury, or disability by nearly 2.5 times. This highlights the critical need to address the health impacts of childhood adversity to improve school attendance and long-term outcomes.
The Impact of ACEs on School Attendance
School absenteeism has become a growing concern, especially in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. It is a key predictor of poor educational, health, and economic outcomes later in life. The study emphasizes that early life trauma can disrupt school attendance not only through behavioral or family factors but also directly through worsened health.
Data Analysis and Methodology
Researchers employed weighted logistic regression to estimate the relationship between ACEs and absenteeism, adjusting for various sociodemographic factors. A mediation analysis was also conducted to determine whether poor general health status contributed to this link. The findings revealed that approximately one in four children had experienced at least one ACE, and these children were 1.5 times more likely to miss school for health reasons.
Health and Social Stressors
The study found a dose-response relationship, where each additional ACE increased the odds of health-related chronic absenteeism by 25%. While general health status accounted for part of this relationship, it was evident that both physical and social stressors played a role in keeping children out of school. Notably, witnessing violence and experiencing racial discrimination were strongly associated with chronic absenteeism.
Recommendations for Intervention
The findings suggest that pediatricians and educators should collaborate to identify students exposed to ACEs and intervene early, particularly when health-related absences become apparent. Health systems could integrate ACE screening with school-based interventions to reduce absenteeism and enhance child well-being.
Future Research Directions
The researchers advocate for future studies that utilize school attendance records and more detailed health data to better understand the causal mechanisms behind the observed associations. This could lead to more effective strategies for supporting children with ACEs.
Conclusion
“This study reinforces what pediatricians have long known: that kids exposed to adversity often show up in the clinic and the classroom with complex challenges,” stated Dr. Rebecca Tsevat, the lead author and a pediatrician at UCLA Health. She emphasized the need for new models of collaboration between schools and healthcare systems to support these students before they miss too much school and face worse health and educational outcomes.
For more information, refer to the study by Rebecca K. Tsevat et al., published in Academic Pediatrics (2025). DOI: 10.1016/j.acap.2025.102864
🔗 **Fuente:** https://medicalxpress.com/news/2025-06-children-adverse-childhood-school-due.html