Children in poverty at greater risk of childhood traumas

Children whose parents report poverty in pregnancy are nine times more likely to face additional traumatic experiences compared to their wealthier peers, UCL research finds. Academics from UCL's ESRC International Centre for Lifecourse Studies analysed data taken over two decades from 14,000 women, their children and partners, to explore the connections between commonly investigated adverse childhood experiences (ACEs)*. The research, published in the Journal of Interpersonal Violence , found poverty** was strongly associated with an increased odds of a child reporting ACEs such as being sexually abused, coping with parental separation, or their parents experiencing issues with mental health, drug or alcohol abuse. With four million UK children already living in poverty and many families experiencing uncertain employment prospects as a result of COVID-19, the team say the impact is only likely to increase. The academics suggest by better supporting parental mental health in pregnancy and beyond, the effects of a child experiencing other adversities could be greatly reduced. They explain how poverty - recent experience of homelessness, difficulties in affording food, heat and accommodation - can put pressure on families. Lead author, Dr Rebecca Lacey (UCL Epidemiology & Public Health) said: "People tend to talk about problems within families, but they haven't been talking about poverty, which is caused by wider factors.