@article{ref1,
title="Adverse childhood experiences and mental health among incarcerated women: self-esteem as a mediating mechanism",
journal="Child abuse and neglect",
year="2023",
author="Annett, Jaxin and Tillson, Martha and Walker, Meghan and Webster, J. Matthew and Staton, Michele",
volume="146",
number="",
pages="e106486-e106486",
abstract="BACKGROUND: Adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) and mental health problems are interrelated. However, less is known about this relationship in incarcerated women and how self-esteem impacts this relationship. <br><br>OBJECTIVE: To investigate the relationship between ACEs and mental health problems (traumatic stress, depression, and anxiety) in incarcerated women with opioid use disorder (OUD) and, the possible role of self-esteem as a mediator of the relationship. PARTICIPANTS AND SETTING: Incarcerated women (N = 500) were randomly selected from eight Kentucky jails, screened for OUD, and interviewed by research staff. <br><br>METHODS: Regression analyses and mediation models were used to examine the relationship between ACEs, mental health, and self-esteem. <br><br>RESULTS: ACEs were positively correlated with present mental health problems (traumatic stress, r = 0.407, p < .001; depression, r = 0.177, p < .001; and anxiety, r = 0.213, p < .001) and negatively correlated with current self-esteem (r = -0.241, p < .001). Linear regression analyses established that ACEs and self-esteem were significantly related to all three mental health variables of interest. Additionally, self-esteem mediated the relationship between ACEs and mental health. <br><br>CONCLUSION: This study shows that incarcerated women's experiences with ACEs are significantly related to poor mental health. Self-esteem plays a critical role in this relationship.<p /> <p>Language: en</p>",
language="en",
issn="0145-2134",
doi="10.1016/j.chiabu.2023.106486",
url="http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.chiabu.2023.106486"
}