The effects of adverse childhood experience and childhood socioeconomic disadvantage on adolescent depression and suicidality: A scoping review protocol

Abstract

Adolescent depression and suicidality are of increasing concern in the United States. Adverse childhood experiences (ACEs), or the cumulative exposure to different types of childhood adversity, and childhood socioeconomic disadvantage (SED) have both been individually associated with increased risk of depression and suicidality. However, there is a lack of consensus among experts in the field as to whether: 1) SED should be included among other equally-weighted adversities in ACE scales, 2) SED mediates the relationship between ACEs and mental health outcomes, or 3) SED exerts a unique influence on both ACEs and mental health outcomes. In order to assess the current literature on the independent and/or interactive effects of SED and ACE exposure on depression/suicidality-related outcomes, a review of the current literature will be conducted. The following paper describes the protocol for this scoping review and plans for the dissemination of findings.