Caregivers' perceptions of concurrent adverse childhood experiences screening and a family resilience program in the pediatric setting

Abstract

Objective Given the public health costs and disease burden of adverse childhood experiences (ACEs), there has been a growing movement to routinely screen for ACEs at pediatric well-child visits and increased calls for early intervention programs, particularly those that increase protective factors, such as positive, responsive, emotionally available caregiving. Latinx populations face notable prevalence of ACEs and significant barriers to access and utilization of services. Research is needed to understand their experiences with screening and early interventions. The present study examines Latinx caregivers' experiences with ACEs screening and the Honor, Educación, Respeto, Oportunidad, Esperanza, and Soluciones (HEROES) family resilience program. Method Participants ( n = 11, 90% Latinx) were recruited to participate in semistructured interviews from a larger randomized controlled trial of HEROES taking place in a Federally Qualified Health Center primarily serving Latinx families. Results Reflexive thematic analysis (Braun & Clarke, 2006) was used to identify five key themes: (1) interrupting intergenerational cycles, (2) understanding the impact of ACEs, (3) feeling heard, (4) learning without stigma, and (5) applying mindfulness practices to parenting. Conclusions Findings shed important light on how caregivers' experience of stress, self-efficacy, and support were related to ACEs screening and the HEROES intervention program. Findings have implications for dual-generation ACEs screening and increasing access to resilience-focused programs for Latinx populations. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2026 APA, all rights reserved).