Frequency and Trend Analysis of Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACE) in First-year Late Adolescent Students Starting University for the First Time in Türkiye: A Repeated Cross-sectional Study, 2023–2026
GUNCEL PEDIATRI, cilt.24, sa.2, ss.126-135, 2026 (ESCI, Scopus, TRDizin)
- Yayın Türü: Makale / Tam Makale
- Cilt numarası: 24 Sayı: 2
- Basım Tarihi: 2026
- Doi Numarası: 10.4274/jcp.2026.24445
- Dergi Adı: GUNCEL PEDIATRI
- Derginin Tarandığı İndeksler: Academic Search Ultimate (EBSCO), Biomedical Reference Collection: Corporate Edition (EBSCO), Health Research Premium Collection (ProQuest), Scopus, Emerging Sources Citation Index (ESCI), CINAHL, EMBASE, Directory of Open Access Journals, TR DİZİN (ULAKBİM)
- Sayfa Sayıları: ss.126-135
- Açık Arşiv Koleksiyonu: AVESİS Açık Erişim Koleksiyonu
- Akdeniz Üniversitesi Adresli: Evet
Özet
Introduction
Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) refer to potentially traumatic experiences such as abuse, neglect, and household dysfunction that an individual experiences before the age of 18. This study aims to examine the frequency and temporal trends of Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) among first-year late adolescents starting university for the first time between 2023 and 2026.
Materials and Methods
This research was conducted as a repeated cross-sectional study. Data were collected through an anonymous online questionnaire distributed via social media and student networks. Participants voluntarily joined from various regions of Türkiye. At the end of the study, the numbers of participants in 2023, 2024, 2025, and 2026 were 138, 137, 136, and 139, respectively, for a total of 550 students. The ACE-Q 10 scale was used to assess the frequency of adverse childhood experiences (ACEs). Changes over the years were analyzed using the Pearson Chi-square test, the Linear-by-Linear Association test, and multivariable logistic regression analyses.
Results
Fifty-three percent of participants reported experiencing at least one ACE, while 9.6% reported exposure to four or more ACEs. Emotional neglect was the most common type of child abuse across all years, followed by emotional abuse, with physical or medical neglect being the least frequent. Childhood sexual abuse increased significantly from 5.8% in 2023 to 17.4% in 2026 (p-trend=0.001). The prevalence of alcohol or substance abuse problems in the family also increased from 3.6% to 10.1% (p-trend=0.033). The percentage of students with four or more ACE scores increased significantly from 5.8% to 16.5% (p-trend = 0.004).
Conclusion
Among late adolescent students starting university, an increased trend was observed, particularly in cases of sexual abuse and high ACE burden. Although the findings are not nationally representative, they suggest a need for continued monitoring of ACEs and strengthening child protection and trauma-focused preventive programs.