Using the social cognitive theory to understand the risk factors of adverse childhood experiences among youths in Malaysia: A cross-sectional study

ABSTRACT

Introduction: Adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) are traumatic events that occur in childhood (before the age of 18 years) and have potentially long-lasting negative impacts on health, behaviour and life opportunities. This study aimed to identify the factors associated with ACEs among youths.
Methods: Undergraduate students, aged 18 years and older, from a public university were randomly sampled based on a list of eligible respondents. Data were collected using a validated and pre-tested online survey.
Results: A total of 372 undergraduate students, with a mean age of 21.8 (SD=1.41) years, participated in this study. Emotional neglect (46.2%) and community violence (38.7%) were the commonest ACE subtypes. Health problems/disabilities (adjusted odds ratio [AOR]=3.578, 95% confidence interval [CI]=1.250–10.246) had the highest likelihood towards ACEs, followed by father’s smoking behaviour (AOR=2.130, 95% CI=1.163–3.898) and authoritarian parenting style (AOR=2.077, 95% CI=1.410–3.058).
Conclusion: The high prevalence of ACEs among the respondents reflects their public health importance. Targeted interventions are crucial among those at risk, particularly children with health problems or disabilities.