Authors:

Parker Smith

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Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) are associated with poorer child outcomes ranging from mental illness to premature death (Felitti et al. , 1998). Previous meta-analyses have established the connection between child maltreatment and deficits in inhibitory control, the ability to control immediate and initiate an adaptive, appropriate response (Lund et al. , 2020). ACEs may predict deficits in inhibitory control, which can lead to lifelong challenges. This study examines the relationship between ACEs and inhibitory control as measured by the Zoo Go/No Go Task (Zoo GNG) (Grammer et al. , 2014). The study sample consisted of 204 children ages 3 to 7 (M = 4. 8, SD = 1. 4) in families involved with child welfare services, and data were drawn from a larger randomized clinical trial. Parents completed the Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACE) scale documenting their child's exposure to 10 ACEs, with children's ACE scores ranging from 0 to 8 (M=3. 44, SD= 1. 92) ACEs exposures. To measure inhibitory control children completed the Zoo GNG task. They were instructed to click a button as quickly as they could every time a zoo animal appeared on the screen (Go trials) but inhibit their response when a zoo-keeper's assistant appeared on the screen(No-go trials). Based on the existing literature, we hypothesize a moderate negative correlation between children's ACE scores and their performance on the Zoo GNG task, with higher child ACEs predicting lower inhibitory control scores. 290 UNIVERSITY OF OREGON • 2025 UNDERGRADUATE RESEARCH SYMPOSIUM TABLE OF CONTENTS

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University of Oregon / 2025

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Co-authors:

Parker Smith