Trauma, Resilience, and Treatment Outcomes in a Pediatric MOUD Clinic

<i>Background:</i> In this study, we explored the relationship between adverse childhood experiences and childhood protective factors (i.e., resilience) with outpatient treatment outcomes among youths receiving buprenorphine-based medication for opioid use disorder over a six-month period. <i>Methods:</i> An observational study was conducted among 42 participants utilizing the modified Adverse Childhood Experience Questionnaire and the Southern Kennebec Healthy Start Resilience survey. Treatment outcomes included the end of treatment, buprenorphine-based medication treatment nonadherence, and opioid relapse. Cox proportional hazard models were fit for all treatment outcomes. <i>Results:</i> Reported adverse childhood experiences were high compared with the national average and demonstrated a significant inverse association with time to buprenorphine treatment nonadherence. Total resilience score was not significantly associated with any treatment outcome. Analysis of potential confounders and other covariates likewise demonstrated no relationship. <i>Conclusions:</i> Higher reported adverse childhood experience scores were associated with greater hazard of buprenorphine-based medication nonadherence. This finding underscores the need for ACE screening and trauma-informed care in this population.