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ObjectiveTo determine the associations between the number of adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) and objectively-measured physical activity (PA) in a population-based, demographically diverse cohort of 9-14-year-olds and to determine which subtypes of ACEs were associated with physical activity levels.MethodsWe analyzed data (n = 7046) from the Adolescent Brain Cognitive Development (ABCD) Study 4.0 release at baseline and year 2 follow-up. ACE (cumulative score and subtypes) and physical activity (average Fitbit daily steps assessed at Year 2) were analyzed using linear regression analyses. Covariates included race and ethnicity, sex, household income, parent education, body mass index, study site, twins/siblings, and data collection period.ResultsAdjusted models suggest an inverse association between number of ACEs and Fitbit daily steps, with ≥4 (compared to 0) ACEs associated with 567 fewer daily steps (95% CI -902.2, -232.2). Of the ACEs subtypes, emotional abuse (B = -719.3, 95% CI -1430.8, -7.9), physical neglect (B = -423.7, 95% CI -752.8, -94.6), household mental illness (B = -317.1, 95% CI -488.3, -145.9), and household divorce or separation (B = -275.4, 95% CI -521.5, -29.2) were inversely and statistically significant associated with Fitbit daily steps after adjusting for confounders.ConclusionsOur results suggest that there is an inverse, dose-dependent relationship between cumulative number of ACEs and physical activity as measured by daily steps. This work highlights the importance of screening for ACEs among young people at an early age to help identify those who could benefit from interventions or community programs that support increased physical activity.

ObjectiveTo determine the association between cyberbullying (victimization and perpetration) and sleep disturbance among a demographically diverse sample of 10-14-year-old early adolescents.MethodsWe analyzed cross-sectional data from the Adolescent Brain Cognitive Development (ABCD) Study (Year 2, 2018-2020) of early adolescents (10-14 years) in the US. Modified Poisson regression analyses examined the association between cyberbullying and self-reported and caregiver-reported sleep disturbance measures.ResultsIn a sample of 9,443 adolescents (mean age 12.0 years, 47.9% female, 47.8% white), 5.1% reported cyberbullying victimization, and 0.5% reported cyberbullying perpetration in the past 12 months. Cyberbullying victimization in the past 12 months was associated with adolescent-reported trouble falling/staying asleep (risk ratio [RR] 1.87, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.57, 2.21) and caregiver-reported overall sleep disturbance of the adolescent (RR: 1.16 95% CI 1.00, 1.33), in models adjusting for sociodemographic factors and screen time. Cyberbullying perpetration in the past 12 months was associated with trouble falling/staying asleep (RR 1.95, 95% CI 1.21, 3.15) and caregiver-reported overall sleep disturbance of the adolescent (RR: 1.49, 95% CI 1.00, 2.22).ConclusionsCyberbullying victimization and perpetration are associated with sleep disturbance in early adolescence. Digital media education and counseling for adolescents, parents, teachers, and clinicians could focus on guidance to prevent cyberbullying and support healthy sleep behavior for early adolescents.

ObjectiveTo determine the prevalence and sociodemographic correlates of cyberbullying victimization and perpetration among a racially, ethnically and socioeconomically diverse population-based sample of 11-12-year-old early adolescents.MethodsWe analyzed cross-sectional data from the Adolescent Brain Cognitive Development (ABCD) Study (Year 2; N = 9429). Multiple logistic regression analyses were used to estimate associations between sociodemographic factors (sex, race/ethnicity, sexual orientation, country of birth, household income, parental education) and adolescent-reported cyberbullying victimization and perpetration.ResultsIn the overall sample, lifetime prevalence of cyberbullying victimization was 9.6%, with 65.8% occurring in the past 12 months, while lifetime prevalence of cyberbullying perpetration was 1.1%, with 59.8% occurring in the past 12 months. Boys reported higher odds of cyberbullying perpetration (AOR 1.71, 95% CI 1.01-2.92) but lower odds of cyberbullying victimization (AOR 0.80, 95% CI 0.68-0.94) than girls. Sexual minorities reported 2.83 higher odds of cyberbullying victimization (95% CI 1.69-4.75) than nonsexual minorities. Lower household income was associated with 1.64 (95% CI 1.34-2.00) higher odds of cyberbullying victimization than higher household income, however household income was not associated with cyberbullying perpetration. Total screen time, particularly on the internet and social media, was associated with both cyberbullying victimization and perpetration.ConclusionsNearly one in 10 early adolescents reported cyberbullying victimization. Pediatricians, parents, teachers, and online platforms can provide education to support victims and prevent perpetration for early adolescents at the highest risk of cyberbullying.

Objective: To determine the association between transgender or gender-questioning identity and cyberbullying victimization in a diverse national sample of early adolescents in the US., Methods: We analyzed cross-sectional data from the Adolescent Brain Cognitive Development (ABCD) Study (N=9,989, Year 3, 2019-2021, 11-14 years old, 48.8% female, 47.6% racial/ethnic minority). Logistic regression analyses were conducted to estimate the associations between transgender or gender-questioning identity and lifetime cyberbullying victimization, adjusting for sociodemographic confounders., Results: In a sample of 9,989 adolescents (1.0% transgender, 1.1% gender-questioning), both transgender (OR 2.24, 95% CI 1.22-4.10) and gender-questioning (OR 1.91, 95% CI 1.05-3.47) adolescents had greater odds of cyberbullying victimization compared to their cisgender peers. There was no evidence of significant effect modification of the association between transgender identity and cyberbullying victimization by sex assigned at birth., Conclusions: Transgender and gender-questioning early adolescents experience higher rates of cyberbullying victimization than their cisgender peers. Future research could investigate the risk and protective factors for cyberbullying in gender minority adolescents., Competing Interests: Declaration of Competing Interest The authors have no conflict to declare., (Copyright © 2024. Published by Elsevier Inc.)

Objective: To determine disparities in adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) by sexual identity in a national cohort of early adolescents., Methods: We analyzed cross-sectional data from year 2 of the Adolescent Brain Cognitive Development study (N = 10,934, 2018-20, ages 10-14 years). Disparities in ACE scores across lesbian, gay, or bisexual (LGB), not sure, and heterosexual adolescents were assessed using multinomial logistic regression analyses. Logistic regressions estimated the associations between sexual identity and each individual ACE. Analyses were adjusted for potential confounders., Results: In adjusted models, LGB adolescents had a higher risk of experiencing 2, 3, or ≥4 ACEs (relative risk ratios [RRR] = 1.57, 95% Confidence Interval (CI) 1.01-2.42), 3 (RR = 1.78, 95% CI 1.100-2.88), or ≥4 ACEs (RRR = 3.20, 95% CI 1.92-5.32), and not sure adolescents had a higher risk of having ≥4 ACEs (RRR = 2.17, 95% CI 1.22-3.87), compared to heterosexual adolescents. LGB and not sure adolescents had higher risks of reporting emotional abuse ("yes" OR = 4.21, 95% CI 1.84-9.61; "maybe" OR = 6.20, 95% CI 2.91-13.19) and parent mental illness ("yes" OR = 1.95, 95% CI 1.48-2.57; "maybe" OR = 1.63, 95% CI 1.21-2.18) compared to heterosexual adolescents., Conclusions: LGB adolescents and those questioning their sexual identity were at greater risk of having higher ACE scores, with LGB adolescents experiencing the highest risk of experiencing ACEs. LGB adolescents also had higher odds of reporting emotional and parent mental illness. Recognizing this heightened risk of ACEs in early adolescence is critical for designing clinic and school-based interventions., Competing Interests: Declaration of Competing Interest The authors declare the following financial interests/personal relationships which may be considered as potential competing interests: Julia Raney reports financial support was provided by California Department of Public Health. Julia Raney reports financial support was provided by US Department of Health and Human Services. If there are other authors, they declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (Copyright © 2024 Academic Pediatric Association. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)