Beyond the Score: Exploring the Associations Between Adverse Childhood Experiences and Electrophysiological Responses to Errors

Adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) have diverse effects on physical development and mental health. This study aimed to clarify the relationship between the quantity of ACE exposure, type of ACE exposure, and subjective level of stress felt, correlated with event-related potential activity across the scalp, while controlling for relevant confounding variables. Fifty-three participants aged 18-32 years completed questionnaires assessing their current mental health, self-regulation, childhood socioeconomic status, and history of traumatic events. Electroencephalographic activity was recorded while participants completed the Combined Attention Systems Task, a modified flanker task. Using cluster-corrected robust statistical approaches, significant relationships existed between the total number of ACEs, ACE type, the subjective impact of trauma, and amplitudes during the error-related negativity (ERN) and error positivity (Pe) at various scalp locations. In the ERN time window, greater error-correct differences were associated with greater total ACEs, abuse, and other ACEs at C5, P9, and TP10/C1 clusters, respectively. In addition, reduced error-correct differences at cluster-maximal C2 during the timing of the Pe were related to experiencing greater numbers of total ACEs while increased error-correct differences at cluster-maximal FPz during the timing of the Pe were associated with greater numbers of other ACEs. The subjective impact of total number of ACEs was not associated with error-correct differences, however, the subjective impact of household dysfunction, abuse, and 'other' ACE types were linked to error-correct differences at various scalp locations and timings. Notably, increased, rather than decreased, subjective impact of household dysfunction was related to greater error-correct differentiation during the timing of the ERN, maximal at Cz. These results suggest that both ACE type and subjective rating are relevant to future outcomes. The effects extended beyond the ERN-affecting error-related positivity and later event-related potentials-indicating associations with the number, type, and subjective impact of ACEs across a larger time window and scalp topography.