94% Of Youth Receiving Inpatient Psychiatric Treatment Had At Least One Adverse Childhood Experience

Among a group of adolescents admitted to an inpatient psychiatric unit during 2023, 94% had experienced at least one adverse childhood experience (ACE) based on a screening conducted during the first 24 hours after admission. About 56% had an ACE score of four or greater, which is the threshold for high risk of toxic stress requiring intervention. The average length of stay was 6.4 days. During the hospitalization, 30% of the youth received a new diagnosis of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

ACEs are defined as potentially traumatic events/stressful life events that occur in childhood. These events may . . .