Table I.

Definition of ACE variables used in Northeast Ohio Youth Health Survey, Spring 2018

ACEs	Definition
Emotional abuse	Emotional abuse was defined as a “yes” response to either statement:  “A parent or adult in my home swore at me, insulted me, humiliated me, put me down, or acted in a way that made me afraid I might be physically hurt”  “I often felt that no one in my family loved me or thought I was important or special.”
Physical abuse	Physical abuse was defined as a “yes” response to either statement:  “A parent or adult in my home pushed, grabbed, slapped, hit, beat, kicked, or physically hurt me (not including spanking)”  “A person I was dating pushed, grabbed, slapped, hit, beat, kicked, or physically hurt me (not including spanking).”
Sexual abuse	Sexual abuse was defined as a “yes” response to either statement:  “A parent or person at least 5 years older than me sexually touched me, made me sexually touch them, attempted sex, or actually had sex with me”  “A person I was dating sexually touched me, made me sexually touch them, attempted sex, or actually had sex with me when I didn’t want to.’
Witnessed intimate partner violence	Witnessed intimate partner violence was defined as a “yes” response to the statement:  “My parents or adults in my home slapped, hit, kicked, punched, or beat each other up.”
Household substance abuse	Household substance abuse was defined as a “yes” response to the statement:  “I lived with someone who was a problem drinker, alcoholic, used illegal street drugs or abused prescription medications.”
Mental illness in household	Mental illness in household was defined as a “yes” response to the statement:  “I lived with someone who was depressed, mentally ill, or suicidal.”
Parental separation or divorce	Parental separation was defined as a “yes” response to the statement:  “My parents separated or divorced.”
Incarcerated household member	Having an incarcerated household member was defined as a “yes” response to the statement:  “I lived with someone who went to jail or prison.”
Physical neglect	Physical neglect was defined as a “yes” response to the statement:  I often felt that I didn’t have enough to eat, I had to wear dirty clothes, I had no one to protect me, or my parents were too drunk or high to take care of me.
Emotional neglect	Emotional neglect was defined as a “yes” response to the statement:  I often felt that no one in my family loved me or thought I was important or special.