How much do adverse childhood experiences contribute to adolescent anxiety and depression symptoms? Evidence from the longitudinal study of Australian children

This study aims to: (i) examine the association between adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) and elevated anxiety and depressive symptoms in adolescents; and (ii) estimate the burden of anxiety and depressive symptoms attributable to ACEs. Data were analyzed from 3089 children followed between Waves 1 (age 4–5 years) and 7 (16–17 years) of the Longitudinal Study of Australian Children. Logistic regression was used to estimate the associations between ACEs and child-reported elevated anxiety and depressive symptoms at age 16–17. Anxiety and depressive symptoms were measured using the Children’s Anxiety Scale and Short Mood and Feelings Questionnaire, respectively. The punaf command available in STATA 14 was used to calculate the population attributable fraction (PAF). Before the age of 18 years, 68.8