Findings from St. Louis University Yields New Data on Child Abuse and Neglect

2021 MAY 19 (NewsRx) -- By a News Reporter-Staff News Editor at Sports Research Daily -- Research findings on Pediatrics - Child Abuse and Neglect are discussed in a new report. According to news reporting out of St. Louis, Missouri, by NewsRx editors, research stated, “Exposure to adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) may be an important factor in understanding sport participation in youth. Yet, very little research has examined this relationship directly using nationally representative data from the United States.”

Our news journalists obtained a quote from the research from St. Louis University, “This study aimed to examine the associations between ACEs and sport participation in adolescents. Using a 2017-2018 pooled dataset of the National Survey of Children’s Health [NSCH], survey weighted chi-squared analysis and multivariable logistic regressions were implemented to assess the association between ACEs and sport participation among youth aged 10-17 years, comparing those without reports of ACEs (ref) to those reporting ACEs. The sample was also stratified to examine gendered differences. Models were adjusted for sociodemographic and child health covariates (physical activity, gender, age, BMI, race/ethnicity, parent reported child health, parental educational attainment, family structure, health insurance coverage, year and mental health conditions). Of 23,557 youth included in our study (12,454 boys [51%], 11,303 girls [49%]; 21.9% reported 1 ACE, 10.1% reported 2 ACEs, and 14.3% reported 3 or more ACEs. In fully adjusted models, we observed significant associations between all levels of ACE exposure and decreased sport participation. When examined by gender, adjusted models revealed that only boys reporting 1ACE exhibited decreased odds of participating in sport OR = 0.70 (95% CI: 0.56, 0.89). ACE exposure in adolescents is associated with reduced odds of sport participation. While sport is traditionally seen as an intervention for youth to build resilience, it may be prudent to consider targeted interventions that encourage sport participation in youth who experience ACEs. Special consideration may be needed for boys who experience ACEs.”

According to the news editors, the research concluded: “Additionally, the results suggest that utilising a trauma informed framework within the world of youth sport and sports medicine may be of value overall.”

This research has been peer-reviewed.

For more information on this research see: Adverse Childhood Experiences (Aces) & Youth Sports Participation: Does a Gradient Exist? Child Abuse & Neglect, 2021;113:104924. Child Abuse & Neglect can be contacted at: Pergamon-elsevier Science Ltd, The Boulevard, Langford Lane, Kidlington, Oxford OX5 1GB, England. (Elsevier - www.elsevier.com; Child Abuse & Neglect - http://www.journals.elsevier.com/child-abuse-and-neglect/)

Our news journalists report that additional information may be obtained by contacting Kemba Noel-London, St. Louis University, College for Public Health and Social Justice, Dept. of Health Management and Policy, 3545 Lafayette Ave, St. Louis, MO 63104, United States. Additional authors for this research include Rhonda BeLue and Kasim Ortiz.

The direct object identifier (DOI) for that additional information is: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chiabu.2020.104924. This DOI is a link to an online electronic document that is either free or for purchase, and can be your direct source for a journal article and its citation.

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