Within, Between, and Beyond: A Comparative Scoping Review of Adverse Childhood Experiences in Multiracial and Monoracial Youth

Multiracial individuals have been demonstrated to be at greater risk for psychological and behavioral health problems relative to their monoracial peers. This comparative scoping review aimed to synthesize and evaluate current evidence of differences in exposure to adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) among Multiracial individuals and both monoracial White and minoritized ethnic/racial groups. Studies were identified using predetermined search terms and parameters across three electronic databases. Inclusion criteria for this review were peer-reviewed empirical articles, written in English, that provided a direct comparison of ACEs across Multiracial and monoracial subsamples. A total of 36 articles were included in the review, the majority of which focused on trauma and violence exposure (n = 14), followed by social adversity (n = 11), household dysfunction (n = 8), cumulative ACE scores (n = 7), and material hardship (n = 5). Across 15 years of research, our review suggested that Multiracial children are disproportionately exposed to ACEs. This pattern was particularly evident when compared to monoracial White children, although several studies indicated that Multiracial individuals also experienced higher levels of ACEs compared to their monoracial minoritized peers. These findings highlight the need for more comprehensive and inclusive investigations into ACEs among Multiracial populations, with particular attention to clarifying the factors that may account for Multiracial children’s elevated exposure to ACEs, and consideration for the role of ACE exposure in the developmental shaping of the long-term health and well-being of Multiracial individuals.