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Development and Validation of the Weighted Index for Childhood Adverse Conditions (WICAC)

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  • Sofie A. Jacobsen

    (Research Clinic for Functional Disorders and Psychosomatics, Aarhus University Hospital, Palle Juul-Jensen Boulevard 11, 8200 Aarhus, Denmark
    Department of Clinical Medicine, Aarhus University, Palle Juul-Jensen Boulevard 11, 8200 Aarhus, Denmark)

  • Bo M. Bibby

    (Department of Public Health, Biostatistics, Aarhus University, Bartholins Allé 2, 8000 Aarhus, Denmark)

  • Lisbeth Frostholm

    (Research Clinic for Functional Disorders and Psychosomatics, Aarhus University Hospital, Palle Juul-Jensen Boulevard 11, 8200 Aarhus, Denmark
    Department of Clinical Medicine, Aarhus University, Palle Juul-Jensen Boulevard 11, 8200 Aarhus, Denmark)

  • Marie W. Petersen

    (Research Clinic for Functional Disorders and Psychosomatics, Aarhus University Hospital, Palle Juul-Jensen Boulevard 11, 8200 Aarhus, Denmark)

  • Eva Ørnbøl

    (Research Clinic for Functional Disorders and Psychosomatics, Aarhus University Hospital, Palle Juul-Jensen Boulevard 11, 8200 Aarhus, Denmark
    Department of Clinical Medicine, Aarhus University, Palle Juul-Jensen Boulevard 11, 8200 Aarhus, Denmark)

  • Signe U. Schovsbo

    (Center for Clinical Research and Disease Prevention, Bispebjerg and Frederiksberg Hospital, The Capital Region, 2400 Copenhagen, Denmark)

  • Thomas M. Dantoft

    (Center for Clinical Research and Disease Prevention, Bispebjerg and Frederiksberg Hospital, The Capital Region, 2400 Copenhagen, Denmark)

  • Tina B. W. Carstensen

    (Research Clinic for Functional Disorders and Psychosomatics, Aarhus University Hospital, Palle Juul-Jensen Boulevard 11, 8200 Aarhus, Denmark
    Department of Clinical Medicine, Aarhus University, Palle Juul-Jensen Boulevard 11, 8200 Aarhus, Denmark)

Abstract

Background: Adverse experiences in childhood are a major public health concern, promoting social inequality in health through biopsychosocial mechanisms. So far, no known measures comprehend the complexity and variations of severity of adverse events. This study aims to develop and validate a new index: the Weighted Index for Childhood Adverse Conditions (WICAC). Methods: The population consists of 7493 randomly invited men and women aged 18–72 years. Data were collected in 2012–2015 as part of the Danish Study of Functional Disorders (DanFunD). Content and construct validation of the WICAC was performed with the hypothesis testing of multiple biopsychosocial outcomes: cardiovascular disease, cancer, poor health, back pain, BMI, obesity, anxiety, depression, low vitality, subjective social status, lower education, smoking, and alcohol consumption. Data were analysed with binominal and linear regression models with risk ratios (RR) and mean differences (MD). Results: Content validation is fitting for WICAC. The strongest associations observed were for most severe adversity: Poor Health RR = 2.16 (1.19–2.91), Anxiety RR = 3.32 (2.32–4.74), Heavy Drinking RR = 4.09 (1.85–9.04), and Subjective Social Status MD = −0.481 (−0.721–(−0.241)). Similar results were found for the remaining outcomes. Discriminative validation was undecided. Conclusions: WICAC is an adequate instrument for measuring cumulative adverse life events in childhood and adolescence for research purposes.

Suggested Citation

  • Sofie A. Jacobsen & Bo M. Bibby & Lisbeth Frostholm & Marie W. Petersen & Eva Ørnbøl & Signe U. Schovsbo & Thomas M. Dantoft & Tina B. W. Carstensen, 2022. "Development and Validation of the Weighted Index for Childhood Adverse Conditions (WICAC)," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(20), pages 1-21, October.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:19:y:2022:i:20:p:13251-:d:942263
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Singh-Manoux, Archana & Adler, Nancy E. & Marmot, Michael G., 2003. "Subjective social status: its determinants and its association with measures of ill-health in the Whitehall II study," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 56(6), pages 1321-1333, March.
    2. Yolanda Martín-Higarza & Yolanda Fontanil & María Dolores Méndez & Esteban Ezama, 2020. "The Direct and Indirect Influences of Adverse Childhood Experiences on Physical Health: A Cross-Sectional Study," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(22), pages 1-17, November.
    3. Demakakos, Panayotes & Nazroo, James & Breeze, Elizabeth & Marmot, Michael, 2008. "Socioeconomic status and health: The role of subjective social status," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 67(2), pages 330-340, July.
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