Validation of the Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACE-THL) Questionnaire

Following on from the development of the THL adverse childhood experiences questionnaire (ACE-THL), this project aims to psychometrically validate the ACE-THL questionnaire using the Healthy Finland survey (TerveSuomi 2022–23).

The project will also:

Establish national and regional prevalence estimates in Finland by well-being service counties, and
Explore associations between ACEs and violent victimisation during adulthood.

Goals

Psychometric validation of the ACE-THL questionnaire.
Estimate national and regional prevalence of Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) in Finland stratified by Socio-economic Position.
A cross-sectional study on the association of ACEs and experiences of violence in adulthood.

Implementation

In order to validate the ACE-THL questionnaire, dimensionality reduction techniques such as exploratory and confirmatory factor analysis will be used to establish the dimensions of the 14 items. Following this, a uni- or multi-dimensional graded response (GRM) Item Response Theory (IRT) model will be fitted to assess items and estimate scores. This process will be documented including the necessary code to use the ACE-THL questionnaire and submitted for publication in an international peer-review journal.

Following from the validation, the national and regional prevalence of ACEs will be estimated and socially stratified. This will be published on the THL website and a manuscript will also be drafted for submission to a Finnish or Nordic journal.

Finally, associations between ACEs and experiences of violent victimisation during adulthood will be estimated and socially stratified. This will also result in a report and manuscript drafted for submission to an international peer-review journal.