Provider and Parent Perspectives on Pediatric Screening for Research on Early Life Adversity

Abstract

Growing evidence links early life adversity (ELA), including Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) and unpredictability, to disrupted health and development. This knowledge has led to increased screening for ELA in primary care settings and provided new opportunities to further research associations between ELA and health. It is imperative to ensure that research on ELA and ELA screening is intentionally inclusive of populations traditionally underrepresented in research, especially given disproportionate rates of exposure to ELA among racially and ethnically minoritized and low-income communities. The SoCal Kids Study aims to examine the effects of ACEs and unpredictability on child neurodevelopment in Southern California. To inform this study, we employed Community Engagement Studios (CES) to consult with medical providers and allied health professionals involved in ELA screening, as well as local parents (N = 24). The goal of the CES was to gather community and practitioner insights on ELA screening and research. Using rapid qualitative analyses, we identified themes of trust, benefits to future generations, procedural recommendations and concerns, perspectives on questionnaire responses, and self-reflection. Key findings include the importance of clear communication and involving medical providers in recruitment, the study’s potential benefits for future generations as a motivating factor, recommendations for culturally responsive research, suggestions for addressing under-reporting, and research as a vehicle to prompt self-reflection that positively impacts parenting practices and clinical care. This study underscores the importance of community-informed research to address impacts of ELA, including ACEs and unpredictability, and to cultivate trust and participation in research.