Title of Thesis: Haunted by the Past: Adverse Childhood Experiences and Chronic Disease in Adulthood
   
Thesis Chair: Dr. Harry Heiman

INTRODUCTION: Beginning with the original Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACE) study, there has been increasing understanding and appreciation for the powerful relationship between traumatic experiences during childhood and subsequent health and life. Nearly half of all adults in the United States have experienced at least one adverse experience during childhood. The exposure to ACEs, traumatic events occurring prior to age 18, has been linked to chronic health conditions as well as social, emotional, physical, and cognitive problems.

AIM: The purpose of this thesis was to examine the relationship between ACE exposure and chronic disease outcomes, specifically heart disease, asthma, and depression.

METHODS: Logistic regression was used to assess the association between specific chronic disease outcomes and ACE exposure using secondary data from the 2016 Georgia Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS). Three different types of ACE exposure were measured household challenges, childhood abuse, and total ACEs. 

RESULTS: Depression had the strongest association with ACE exposure in all three categories. Significant associations were observed with each specific chronic disease outcome and abuse.

DISCUSSION: The results indicate that experiencing ACEs is associated with higher odds of having various chronic disease. The strength of the impact of ACEs does vary in terms of outcome.