Intergenerational Effects of Early Parental Adversity on Child Developmental Outcomes among Families Living in Emergency Homeless Shelters

Adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) are associated with persistent physical and psychological impairments over time and intergenerational transmission of trauma. Few studies have examined contexts of acute adversity with an eye toward understanding intergenerational transmission of ACEs. Homelessness and residential mobility are strongly associated with increased deficits across key developmental domains throughout the lifespan. This study (N = 86 parent-child dyads living in emergency housing) examined the effect of parent ACEs under the age of 18 years on parent and child lifetime adverse experiences. Results demonstrated significant relationships between parent ACEs and parent adversity over 18 years of age, child lifetime adversity, and current child trauma symptomatology. These findings highlight the impact of parent early experiences on off spring and underscore the importance of understanding the impact of and intervening to end the intergenerational transmission of trauma in acute adversity. Implications of these findings, including intervention, policy, and practice, are discussed.