What is the ACEs Catalogue?

The ACEs Catalogue is a database of research studies about adverse childhood experiences (ACEs). Since 2018, members of the Determinants of Child Development Lab at the University of Calgary have reviewed over 20,000 studies (articles, dissertations, and abstracts) to determine whether the study included a measure of ACEs and/or an association between ACEs and one or more outcomes. We created a set of cataloguing codes to capture information about what outcomes of ACEs were measured in each study.

How did we search for studies about ACEs?

A research librarian at the University of Calgary developed terms to search several bibliographic databases (Medline, Embase, PsycINFO, and CINAHL) for studies on ACEs. Text word fields were searched with the phrase “adverse childhood experience or event”, as well as the acronym “ACEs”. So far, we’ve completed three searches (in 2018, 2021, and 2023) for research articles published between January 1, 1998, and January 7, 2023. An updated search was done in February, 2024, and we are in the process of reviewing these articles for inclusion in the ACEs Catalogue.

How did we decide what studies get included in the ACEs Catalogue?

We included research studies that used a measure of ACEs that included questions about both abuse/neglect (physical, emotional, or sexual abuse; physical or emotional neglect) and household dysfunction (e.g., parental divorce; parental domestic violence; incarceration, substance use, mental health problems within the household). Studies were excluded if the ACEs measure had fewer than 6 or more than 12 items. We included research articles published in English.

How are articles in the ACEs Catalogue coded?

Full‐text articles are reviewed by two independent coders. Discrepancies are resolved via consensus.

How can you search the ACEs Catalogue?

The ACEs Hub data dashboard has a series of filters you can use to search articles in the ACEs Catalogue. Cataloguing codes are grouped into 9 categories:

  • Risk behaviours
  • Psychopathology
  • Affective functioning
  • Interpersonal relationships
  • Cognitive functioning and development
  • Parenting
  • Neurobiological functioning
  • Health and illness
  • Pregnancy/birth-related

Within each category, selecting multiple checkboxes will generate a list of articles catalogued with either selection (an “OR” search). For example, selecting “Addictive behaviours” and “Sexual behaviour” within the Risk Behaviours category will display all articles catalogued as either “Addictive behaviours” OR “Sexual behaviour”.

If you select checkboxes across multiple categories, articles catalogued with all selections will be shown (an “AND” search). For example, selecting “Symptoms” within Psychopathology and “Positive Parenting” within Parenting will show all articles catalogued as both “Symptoms” AND “Positive Parenting”.

Articles can also be filtered by publication year, journal, corresponding author institution, or corresponding author country using the filters on the Catalogue page. The Map tab can also be used to filter or visualize corresponding author location.

How frequently is the ACEs Catalogue updated?

The ACEs Catalogue contains articles from 3 searches for research published between January 1, 1998, and January 7, 2023. An updated search was done in February 2024, and we are in the process of reviewing the articles from this search for inclusion in the ACEs Catalogue.

What research has been done using the ACEs Catalogue?

Below is a list of research articles using the ACEs Catalogue:

Cooke, J. E., Racine, N., Pador, P., & Madigan, S. (2021). Maternal Adverse Childhood Experiences and Child Behavior Problems: A Systematic Review. Pediatrics, 148(3). https://doi.org/10.1542/peds.2020-044131

Madigan, S., Deneault, A., Racine, N., Park, J., Thiemann, R., Zhu, J., Dimitropoulos, G., Williamson, T., Fearon, P., Cénat, J. M., McDonald, S., Devereux, C., & Neville, R. D. (2023). Adverse childhood experiences: a meta‐analysis of prevalence and moderators among half a million adults in 206 studies. World Psychiatry, 22(3), 463–471. Portico. https://doi.org/10.1002/wps.21122

Racine, N., Devereaux, C., Cooke, J. E., Eirich, R., Zhu, J., & Madigan, S. (2021). Adverse childhood experiences and maternal anxiety and depression: a meta-analysis. BMC Psychiatry, 21(1). https://doi.org/10.1186/s12888-020-03017-w

Racine, N., Deneault, A. A., Thiemann, R., Turgeon, J., Zhu, J., Cooke, J., & Madigan, S. (2023). Intergenerational transmission of parent adverse childhood experiences to child outcomes: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Child Abuse & Neglect, 106479. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chiabu.2023.106479

Zhu, J., Exner-Cortens, D., Dobson, K., Wells, L., Noel, M., & Madigan, S. (2023). Adverse childhood experiences and intimate partner violence: A meta-analysis. Development and Psychopathology, 1–15. https://doi.org/10.1017/s0954579423000196

Zhu, J., Racine, N., Devereux, C., Hodgins, D. C., & Madigan, S. (2023). Associations between adverse childhood experiences and substance use: a meta-analysis. Child Abuse & Neglect, 106431. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chiabu.2023.106431