I'm trying to include a trauma type question on our state's Youth Risk Behavior Survey (YRBS). I can only add one question to the survey. Has anyone developed a question that captures information about the presence or history of adverse experiences for middle or high school students?
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Hi Mary,
Last year in Monroe County, NY we embedded all 10 ACE questions into the YRBS (along with an 11th question on exposure on community violence). We have had a huge community response to the data as it has shifted the conversation from the risk behaviors themselves to the trauma that we suspect lies beneath. Not only has this provided us with information on ACE exposure for youth in our community, we have been able to run analyses on the risk behavior and number of ACEs. Mirroring the original study, once a student reported 4 or more ACEs, the likelihood of reporting mental health challenges, suicide ideation/attempts, violence, and substance use, increases significantly. Similar to your request, we started by thinking about adding one question but found it challenging because it was difficult to capture adverse experience in one comprehensive question. When we partnered with public health and the school districts to provide a rationale on integrating all the ACE questions, we had strong support. Some similar questions already existed on the YRBS so we did a crosswalk to see what additional questions actually needed to be added. I would be happy to provide additional information if you'd like to contact me directly.
Elizabeth
Hi Mary, similar to Monroe County, in fall 2015 the Buffalo Public School system added 6 ACE questions to the YRBS distributed to AREA high school students. Currently the Institute on Trauma and Trauma Informed Care is analyzing the data however it appears to be in line with what Elizabeth reported in her findings. I think if you are only able to include one question, the best route would be to choose which adverse experience you would like to focus on and incorporate that question into the survey.
Elizabeth,
Is there a copy of the altered YRBS in which you incorporated the ACES questions available for download? I would love to see a copy of that. I'm working on increasing screening opportunities in mental health organizations and schools in NJ.
Thanks!
Melissa
We have not yet gotten approval to make the alteration. If we do, we will probably only be able to add one question. We are working to craft that question and hope we can get approval to incorporate in the YRBS. I will try to update you as we move forward. Stay tuned.
Mary Mueller
Roy Wade, MD a Pediatrician at Children's Hospital Philadelphia is doing some research on which question or constellation of questions from the original ACE study are predictive of having 4 or more ACEs. He has some good data on two questions that for adults that are highly predictive of 4 or more ACEs and is currently working on a similar analysis of data from existing childrens' ACE surveys but the analysis is just getting started.
