An analysis of retrospective and repeat prospective reports of adverse childhood experiences from the South African Birth to Twenty Plus cohort

• DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0181522
• Publication Date: 2017-07-26T13:38:42Z
• Authors: Sara N. Naicker; Shane A. Norris; Musawenkosi Mabaso; Linda M. Richter
• Keywords: Concordance; Physical abuse

Most studies rely on cross-sectional retrospective reports from adult samples to collect information about adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) examine relationships with outcomes. The problems associated these have long been debated, only a few determining their reliability and validity fewer still reaching consensus the matter. This paper uses repeat prospective of two respondent sources in South African Birth Twenty Plus (Bt20+) cohort explore agreement concordance reporting ACEs by caregivers respective children as adolescents then young adults. findings demonstrate little overall between accounts experiences, 80% kappa values below moderate cutoff (k = .41). highest levels were found parental household death (kappas ranging .519 .944). Comparisons caregiver yielded high rates sexual physical abuse exposure intimate partner violence (91.0%, 87.7% 80.2%, respectively). prevalence reported varied age respondent, much higher violence, than are retrospectively or caregivers. variation may partly reflect actual changes circumstances maturation, but be influenced developmental stage issues memory, cognition emotional state more has considered previous analyses. More research, across disciplines, is needed understand processes effect recall. Long-term critical for this purpose. In conclusion, methodological research that range establish both ‒ recognizing approaches fundamentally answer different questions should encouraged.