Caregiver adverse childhood experiences and burden: associations with child welfare risk in a caregiver-child-sample

Abstract

Background:Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) are well-established risk factors for long-term psychosocial impairments and can affect both parental functioning and child well-being. The present study investigates the impact of caregiver ACEs on child welfare risk over the course of a caregiver- focused intervention. Methods: 41 caregiver-child dyads (children: M = 4.85 years, SD = 1.41) were assessed at three time points: baseline (T1), after 4 weeks of intervention (T2), and six months post (T3). Caregiver ACEs were measured using a standardized questionnaire (ACE), and child welfare risk was assessed with a short form of the German version of the Child Abuse Potential Inventory (CAPI) [Eltern- Belastungs-Screening zur Kindeswohlgefährdung (EBSK)]. Linear mixed-effects models (LMMs) examined changes in EBSK scores over time and the influence of ACE number and domain. Results:Child welfare risk did not decrease immediately post-treatment (T1–T2), but a significant reduction was observed at follow-up (T2–T3). Higher caregiver ACE scores were consistently associated with elevated EBSK scores. Analyses of ACE domains revealed that history of parental household dysfunction, but not abuse, significantly predicted higher child welfare risk. The number of ACEs (≥4 vs. <4) did not significantly moderate EBSK trajectories. Conclusions:Child welfare risk scores were lower at follow-up than at post- treatment assessment. However, given the absence of a control group, these findings should be interpreted as temporal associations rather than evidence of intervention effects. Caregiver ACEs, particularly history of household dysfunction, remain a persistent risk factor for child welfare. Systematic assessment of ACEs can help identify at-risk families and implement trauma- informed interventions, follow-up support, and professional training in clinical settings.