Adverse Childhood Event Subtypes and Routine Diabetes Care Utilization Among U.S. Adults With Type 2 Diabetes

Ariel Hoadley, Sarah Bass, Daniel J. Rubin

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

Objective: Adverse childhood events (ACEs) have significant impacts on adulthood health, including greater risk of Type 2 diabetes (T2D). While there is a known connection to increased use of outpatient and emergency healthcare services, the potential role of ACEs in routine diabetes care utilization remains unclear. This study uses ACE subtypes to explain pathways to routine diabetes care utilization among adults with T2D. Method: Cross-sectional data were obtained from the 2019 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System, a survey of a representative sample of U.S. adults. Eligible participants resided in a state that completed both the Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) and Diabetes modules and were diagnosed with non-gestational diabetes (N= 9,904), of whom the majority were presumed to have T2D. Confirmatory factor analysis was used to test the measurement model for three ACE factors: household dysfunction, physical and emotional abuse, and sexual abuse. Structural equation modeling was used to relate factors to four routine diabetes care utilization outcomes. Results: Factor loadings were strong, and fit indices indicated good measurement model and full structural model fits. In the full structural equation model, household dysfunction was associated with decreased likelihood of meeting frequency recommendations for A1C testing (β=− 0.22, p,.05) and foot exams (β=−0.29, p,.01). Physical and emotional abuse were associated with greater likelihood of meeting A1C testing frequency recommendations (β= 0.21, p,.05). Conclusion: Specific types of ACEs may differentially relate to routine diabetes care utilization in adulthood.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)S10-S19
JournalPsychological Trauma: Theory, Research, Practice, and Policy
Volume16
Early online dateFeb 6 2023
DOIs
StatePublished - Apr 2024

Keywords

  • adverse childhood experiences
  • care utilization
  • diabetes
  • trauma

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