Definition: Estimated percentage of children ages 12-17 with and without exposure to adverse childhood experiences (ACEs), among those with and with more and fewer positive childhood experiences (PCEs), by number of PCEs (e.g., in 2024, among California youth ages 12-17 with at least six PCEs, 29.3% had at least one ACE).
Data Source: Has had adverse childhood experiences - Teen: The California Health Interview Survey, 2022-2024. Tabulation by the California Dept. of Public Health, Injury and Violence Prevention Branch (Jun. 2026).
Footnote: This indicator reports on exposure to five adverse childhood experiences from birth to the time of survey: (1) parent or guardian got divorced or separated, (2) parent or guardian served time in jail or prison, (3) witnessed domestic violence (seen or heard parents, guardians, or other adults in the home slapping, hitting, kicking, punching, or beating each other up), (4) household member was mentally ill, suicidal, or severely depressed for more than a couple of weeks, (5) household member abused alcohol or drugs, and seven positive childhood experiences: always or most of the time (i) feeling able to talk to family about feelings, (ii) feeling supported by family during difficult times, (iii) feeling safe and protected by an adult at home, (iv) having at least two adults other than parents take genuine interest, (v) feeling supported by friends, (vi) feeling a sense of belonging at school, (vii) enjoying participating in community traditions. These estimates are based on a survey of the population and are subject to both sampling and nonsampling error. Use data with caution: Estimates are statistically stable within a 30% coefficient of variation but may not meet kidsdata.org's standards for reliability based on margin of error (MOE), which require MOEs of no greater than five (or ten) percentage points at the 95% (or 90%) confidence level. For more information, visit the California Health Interview Survey.
