Abstract
Adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) have been shown to significantly impact health outcomes for individuals exposed to trauma. Despite the recognition that many chronic health conditions are strongly correlated to ACEs, there are substantial gaps in the literature related to the impact of ACEs on people with end-stage renal disease (ESRD). This is particularly concerning as patients with ESRD are often labeled as medically non-adherent to treatment, and there is often no consideration by providers that ACEs may be impacting their health beliefs, behaviors, and decisions. This banded dissertation addresses the gaps in the literature related to providers' perspectives and knowledge on the potential impact of ACEs on adherence in individuals with ESRD and provider knowledge and training of trauma-informed care practices. Further, this banded dissertation introduces a trauma-informed care model specific to the care of patients with ESRD through a health belief model lens. The trauma-informed model of care was constructed to guide nephrology providers, specifically social workers, in providing traumainformed practices and interventions to best understand, treat, and care for patients with ESRD who may have histories of trauma.