(PS6-28) Exploring the Relationship Between Adverse Childhood Experiences and Problem Behaviors Among a Nationally Representative Sample of Children with ADHD

High levels of early Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) are known to significantly increase children’s internalized and externalized psychological distress, with girls experiencing primarily greater levels of externalized challenges compared to boys (Jones et al., 2022). As the number of experienced ACEs increases, so does the likelihood of a childhood Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) diagnosis due to the risk traumatic stress imposes upon development (Walker et al., 2021). Additionally, ACEs and low self control are significantly associated with behavioral difficulties in children (Fava et al., 2017). The current study investigates the effects of various types of early life stress on internalizing and externalizing behaviors among a nationally representative sample of children, and examines the mechanistic role of self-control within these relationships. Data was pulled from Year 9 of the Future of Families and Child Wellbeing Study, a longitudinal study tracking 4,898 children born in 20 U.S. cities between 1998 and 2000 (FFCWS, 2021). Analysis focused on 425 primarily male (71.5%) children diagnosed with ADHD (Mage = 8.09). Eight ACE categories were measured in Year 9, including physical/emotional abuse and neglect, and parental domestic violence, depression, substance abuse, or incarceration (Jones & Hoffman, 2023; Hunt et al., 2017). The 113-item Child Behavior Checklist assessed various items (e.g., behavior problems, attention problems, social problems). The study employed a set of 3 items from the Teacher-Reported Social Skills Rating System to assess self-control. Additionally, caregivers were asked to report their poverty category, derived from thresholds established by the U.S. Census Bureau. Main effects analyses demonstrated significant associations between various forms of childhood adversity and behavioral outcomes. Emotional Neglect during Year 9 significantly predicted Anxious/Depressed, Withdrawn/Depressed, and Somatic Complaints (all p < .001), while Physical Neglect during Year 9 was significantly associated with Withdrawn/Depressed and Social Problems (both p < .001). Year 9 Emotional Abuse significantly predicted Thought Problems and Aggressive Behavior (both p < .001), whereas Physical Abuse was significantly associated with Social Problems, Attention Problems, and Rule-Breaking Behavior (all p < .001). Moderation analyses were conducted with gender and SES covaried, revealing that self-control significantly moderated these relationships. Significant interactions were found between Emotional Neglect and Anxious/Depressed, Withdrawn/Depressed, and Somatic Complaints (all p < .001), Physical Neglect and Withdrawn/Depressed and Social Problems (both p < .001), Emotional Abuse and Thought Problems and Aggressive Behavior (both p < .001), and Physical Abuse and Social Problems, Attention Problems, and Rule-Breaking Behavior (all p < .001). Further elucidation of these interactions will be conducted through simple slopes follow-up tests. These findings emphasize the critical need for targeted interventions that enhance self-control skills to mitigate the adverse effects of ACEs on behavioral outcomes of children with ADHD.