Intergenerational continuity of adverse childhood experiences among Mexican‐origin families: Examination of intra and extra‐familial adversities

Abstract

The effects of the intergenerational continuity of adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) on youth outcomes have been documented, particularly among mother–child dyads. Most literature has focused on the continuity of family‐level ACEs (Traditional ACEs [T‐ACEs]) and not community‐level ACEs (Expanded ACEs [E‐ACEs]) that disproportionately impact minoritized individuals. We aimed to (a) examine the effect of mothers' and fathers' T‐ACEs and E‐ACEs on youth's T‐ACEs and E‐ACEs, respectively, and on youth's depressive and anxiety symptoms; (b) examine whether youth's own ACE exposure explains the link between parental ACEs and youth depressive and anxiety symptoms; and (c) explore differential risks by mothers versus fathers. We collected cross‐sectional data from a community sample of Mexican‐origin youth (Mage, 13.5 years; 51.7% males; 93.0% US‐born), mothers (Mage, 41.4 years; 7.2% US‐born), and fathers (Mage, 44.0 years; 5.1% US‐born) from the Seguimos Avanzando project (167 youth‐mother–father triads, 177 youth‐mother/father dyads). Results showed that (a) fathers', but not mothers', T‐ACEs and E‐ACEs were associated with youth's T‐ACES and E‐ACEs, respectively, (b) youth's T‐ACEs explained the association between fathers' T‐ACEs and youth's depressive symptoms, and (c) only youth's E‐ACEs were associated with anxiety symptoms. These findings highlight the greater need to understand how fathers' childhood experiences may impact outcomes across generations and that targeting youth's ACEs can reduce the pervasive effects of intergenerational continuity of ACEs.