The Relationship and Comparison between Adverse Childhood Experiences and Parenting Practices of Mothers and Fathers

Abstract

In the past two decades, constant research has been conducted on Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) and its impact on an individual, including the aspect of parenting. This study focuses on the effects of ACEs on parenting practices. Through purposive sampling methods, the sample size was 15 and each sample consisted of a father, a mother, and a child (n=30). The age criteria were 13 to 15 years old for the child from middle-class urban households. The parents were administered two questionnaires, the Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACE) Questionnaire (Felitti et al., 1998) and the Alabama Parenting Questionnaire (APQ short form) (Elgar et al., 2006). The child was administered one questionnaire, the Alabama Parenting Questionnaire (APQ) (child form) (Frick, 1991). The results indicate that there is a positive relationship between ACEs and Parenting Practices. In addition, no significant difference was found between the relationship of ACEs and parenting practices of mothers and fathers. Therefore, this study shows the relationship between ACEs and Parenting Practices and the crucial need for efficient development of interventions and awareness among the general population for the prevention of unhealthy parenting practices.