Children’s Adverse Childhood Experiences and Parent-Reported Use of Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program in U.S. Households

Adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) have been linked to food insecurity, poor health outcomes, and socioeconomic challenges. Despite this, there is a dearth of studies connecting ACEs to use of safety net programs in the United States (U.S). This study examines the prevalence and association between ACEs and parent-reported use of SNAP benefits in U.S. households. Data were obtained from the parent-reported 2022 National Survey of Children's Health ( N = 52,521 children). Descriptive statistics were used to estimate prevalence rates, and six logistic regression models were used to determine the significant association between ACEs and parent-reported SNAP benefits use during the past 12 months. An estimated 57.5% of children with one or more ACEs had parent-reported SNAP benefits use in their households during the past 12 months. Children's individual ACE exposure such as experiencing economic hardships (AOR = 2.29) and being discriminated due to health conditions (AOR = 1.69) were associated with higher likelihood of parent-reported SNAP benefits use in households during the past 12 months. However, living with a family member with mental illness was associated with lower likelihood of parent-reported SNAP benefits use in households during the past 12 months (AOR = 0.70). Additionally, children's exposure to at least one ACE (AOR = 1.60), two ACEs (AOR = 2.27), three ACEs (AOR = 2.88), and four or more ACEs (AOR = 2.80) were associated with higher likelihood of parent-reported SNAP benefits use in households during the past 12 months. This study underscores the need for comprehensive interventions to address children's ACEs and strengthen public welfare policies for continuous use of SNAP benefits for families with limited resources in U.S households. Detailed implications for behavioral health, practice, and policy are further discussed.