Scottish Health Survey 2019: summary report

Chapter 8 Adverse childhood experiences (ACEs)

In 2019, just over one in seven adults reported four or more ACEs.

• 15% - 4 or more

Verbal abuse was the most common ACE reported, experienced by just under half of all adults.

Those in the most deprived areas were almost twice as likely than those in the least deprived areas to experience four or more ACEs.

* On SHeS, verbal abuse was scored as an ACE if it was reported as happening once or more, in the Welsh and English studies verbal abuse was scored as an ACE if it was reported as happening twice or more.
** On SHeS, the physical abuse ACE did not exclude 'gentle smacking for punishment' as most other ACE surveys do.

The proportion of adults reporting four or more ACEs in 2019 was higher among those whose parents were in routine and manual occupations ***.

• 12% parents were in managerial and professional occupations
• 14% parents were in intermediate and small employers or own account holders
• 21% parents were in routine 4 or more and manual occupations

Adults who had four or more ACEs were less likely to have a degree level qualification or higher.

As the number of ACEs reported increased, so did the proportion of adults with no formal qualifications.

The prevalence of hazardous, harmful or possibly dependent drinking behaviour **** was higher among those who reported one or more ACE's (17–19%) than those who reported no ACE's (11%).

*** When the adult respondent was a child of about 14 years of age.
**** AUDIT scores of 8 or more.

Those who reported four or more ACEs were significantly more likely to be/have/suffer from...

Obesity

Current smokers

A limiting long-term condition *****

Any cardiovascular disease

Not met physical activity guidelines ******

Lower mental wellbeing scores (WEMWBS)

***** A physical or mental health condition or illness lasting, or expected to last 12 months or more where the respondent has reported that it limited their activities in any way.
****** At least 150 minutes of moderate physical activity, 75 minutes of vigorous physical activity, or an equivalent combination of the two per week.