Adverse Childhood Experiences Affect Substance Use Differently Across Racial Groups
Different types of adverse childhood experiences (neglect, abuse, household dysfunction) were associated with different substance use patterns across racial and ethnic groups.
Quick Facts
What This Study Found
Among 2,207 young adults, significant racial/ethnic differences existed in overall ACE scores and household dysfunction. Different ACE domains (neglect, abuse, household dysfunction) predicted different substance use patterns (nicotine, cannabis, opioids) depending on the racial/ethnic group, suggesting one-size-fits-all prevention approaches may miss important variations.
Key Numbers
2,207 young adults, mean age 21.84. Significant racial/ethnic differences in overall ACE scores and household dysfunction. Different ACE domains predicted different substance use patterns by race/ethnicity.
How They Did This
Cross-sectional analysis of 2,207 young adults (mean age 21.84). Multivariable regression examining associations between three ACE domains and nicotine, cannabis, and opioid use/co-use across racial/ethnic groups.
Why This Research Matters
Understanding that childhood adversity affects substance use differently across racial groups can inform culturally tailored prevention programs rather than generic interventions.
The Bigger Picture
This study challenges the assumption that ACEs have uniform effects on substance use. The racial/ethnic variation in which ACE domains drive which substance use patterns reflects the intersection of trauma, culture, and structural inequality.
What This Study Doesn't Tell Us
Cross-sectional design. Self-reported ACEs and substance use. Combining diverse groups within broad racial/ethnic categories may obscure within-group variation. Cannot establish causation.
Questions This Raises
- ?What specific cultural or structural factors explain why different ACE domains affect substance use differently across groups?
- ?Would culturally tailored interventions addressing specific ACE domains be more effective than universal programs?
Trust & Context
- Key Stat:
- Different ACE domains predicted different substance use patterns across racial/ethnic groups
- Evidence Grade:
- Reasonable sample with nuanced analysis of ACE domains by race/ethnicity, but cross-sectional design limits causal conclusions.
- Study Age:
- 2025 publication.
- Original Title:
- Diversity in adversity: Racial/ethnic differences in the relationship between domains of adverse childhood experiences and nicotine, cannabis, and opioids use in young adults.
- Published In:
- Journal of ethnicity in substance abuse, 24(4), 829-849 (2025)
- Authors:
- Jacobs, Wura(7), Bristow, Alane(2), Sajan, Sandiya, Lowry, Veronica, Leventhal, Adam
- Database ID:
- RTHC-06726
Evidence Hierarchy
Read More on RethinkTHC
Cite This Study
https://rethinkthc.com/research/RTHC-06726APA
Jacobs, Wura; Bristow, Alane; Sajan, Sandiya; Lowry, Veronica; Leventhal, Adam. (2025). Diversity in adversity: Racial/ethnic differences in the relationship between domains of adverse childhood experiences and nicotine, cannabis, and opioids use in young adults.. Journal of ethnicity in substance abuse, 24(4), 829-849. https://doi.org/10.1080/15332640.2023.2280092
MLA
Jacobs, Wura, et al. "Diversity in adversity: Racial/ethnic differences in the relationship between domains of adverse childhood experiences and nicotine, cannabis, and opioids use in young adults.." Journal of ethnicity in substance abuse, 2025. https://doi.org/10.1080/15332640.2023.2280092
RethinkTHC
RethinkTHC Research Database. "Diversity in adversity: Racial/ethnic differences in the rel..." RTHC-06726. Retrieved from https://rethinkthc.com/research/jacobs-2025-diversity-in-adversity-racialethnic
Access the Original Study
Study data sourced from PubMed, a service of the U.S. National Library of Medicine, National Institutes of Health.
This study breakdown was produced by the RethinkTHC research team. We analyze and report published research findings without making health recommendations. All interpretations are based solely on the published abstract and study data.