Life Course Pathways From Adverse Childhood Experiences to Adult Physical Health: A Structural Equation Model

2017 ◽  
Vol 31 (2) ◽  
pp. 211-230 ◽  
Author(s):  
Paula S. Nurius ◽  
Christopher M. Fleming ◽  
Eleanor Brindle
Keyword(s):  
Social Support ◽  
Physical Health ◽  
Adverse Childhood Experiences ◽  
Structural Equation ◽  
Health Risk Behaviors ◽  
Equation Model ◽  
Equation Modeling ◽  
Behavioral Risk ◽  
Childhood Experiences ◽  
Adverse Childhood

Objective: This study examines pathways from adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) to physical health, directly and indirectly through lower income, health risk behaviors, social support, and adult adversity within a theoretical framework postulating stress proliferative and biological trajectories of cumulative adversity. Method: Data were obtained from 12,549 adult respondents of a state Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System survey. Multigroup structural equation modeling elucidated pathways differentiated by sex and age (older/younger than 45). Results: Good model fit was achieved in each test, indicating consistency with stress theorizing that ACEs significantly contribute to poorer physical health through direct and mediated paths. Younger adults evidenced direct ACE pathway to poor health suggesting early biological erosion, whereas paucity of social support among older adults was directly associated. Discussion: Findings indicate that stress process roles in eroding physical health and experience of wellness. Addressing early adversity is an important strategy toward reducing preventable health problems.

Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) and Gang Involvement Among Juvenile Offenders: Assessing the Mediation Effects of Substance Use and Temperament Deficits

2019 ◽  
Vol 18 (1) ◽  
pp. 24-53 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kevin T. Wolff ◽  
Michael T. Baglivio ◽  
Hannah J. Klein ◽  
Alex R. Piquero ◽  
Matt DeLisi ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Substance Use ◽  
Juvenile Offenders ◽  
Adverse Childhood Experiences ◽  
Structural Equation ◽  
Equation Modeling ◽  
Childhood Experiences ◽  
Mediation Effects ◽  
Gang Involvement ◽  
Adverse Childhood

A growing body of research has demonstrated the deleterious effects of adverse childhood experiences (ACEs). Less understood is the role of ACEs in gang involvement among juvenile offenders. The current longitudinal study employs a sample of 104,267 juvenile offenders (mean age of 16, 76% male, 46% Black non-Hispanic, 15.7% Hispanic) to examine the effect of ACE exposure on two different measures of gang involvement by age 18. We use structural equation modeling to test whether higher ACE exposure at Time 1 predicts gang involvement and whether current substance use and/or difficult temperament mediates the ACE-gang involvement relationship. Results indicate ACE exposure at Time 1 predicts gang involvement by age 18, but that much of the effect of ACEs on later gang involvement can be explained by their impact on current substance abuse and difficult temperament. Implications for juvenile justice systems are discussed.

A Path to Serious, Violent, Chronic Delinquency: The Harmful Aftermath of Adverse Childhood Experiences

2016 ◽  
Vol 64 (1) ◽  
pp. 3-25 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nicholas M. Perez ◽  
Wesley G. Jennings ◽  
Michael T. Baglivio
Keyword(s):  
Personality Traits ◽  
Problem Behaviors ◽  
Adverse Childhood Experiences ◽  
Structural Equation ◽  
Childhood Adversity ◽  
Equation Model ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Childhood Experiences ◽  
Adolescent Problem Behaviors ◽  
Adverse Childhood

Adverse childhood experiences can affect the development of a child in many ways, leading to highly maladaptive behaviors, such as serious, violent, and chronic (SVC) delinquency. This study uses data from 64,329 Florida Department of Juvenile Justice youth, collected from 2007 to 2012, to examine both the direct and indirect effects of adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) on SVC delinquency. Using a generalized structural equation model, the effects of ACE scores are estimated on a youth’s likelihood of engaging in SVC delinquency while considering pathways through maladaptive personality traits (aggression and impulsivity), as well as adolescent problem behaviors (deviant peer imitation, school difficulties, substance abuse problems, and mental illness). The results suggest that a large proportion of the relationship between childhood adversity and SVC delinquency is mediated by maladaptive personality traits and adolescent problem behaviors. Study limitations and directions for future research are also discussed.

scholarly journals Social engagement and allostatic load mediate between adverse childhood experiences and multimorbidity in mid to late adulthood: the Canadian Longitudinal Study on Aging

2021 ◽  
pp. 1-11
Author(s):  
Leslie Atkinson ◽  
Divya Joshi ◽  
Parminder Raina ◽  
Lauren E. Griffith ◽  
Harriet MacMillan ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Longitudinal Study ◽  
Social Engagement ◽  
Adverse Childhood Experiences ◽  
Allostatic Load ◽  
Structural Equation ◽  
Equation Modeling ◽  
Childhood Experiences ◽  
Age Cohorts ◽  
Adverse Childhood

Abstract Background Adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) are associated with multimorbidity in adulthood. This link may be mediated by psychosocial and biological factors, but evidence is lacking. The current study evaluates this mediation model. Method We analyzed data from the Canadian Longitudinal Study of Aging (N = 27 170 community participants). Participants were 45–85 years at recruitment, when allostatic load and social engagement data were collected, and 3 years older at follow-up, when ACEs and multimorbidity data were collected. Structural equation modeling was used to test for mediation in the overall sample, and in sex- and age-stratified subsamples, all analyses adjusted for concurrent lifestyle confounds. Results In the overall sample, ACEs were associated with multimorbidity, directly, β = 0.12 (95% confidence interval 0.11–0.13) and indirectly. Regarding indirect associations, ACEs were related to social engagement, β = −0.14 (−0.16 to −0.12) and social engagement was related to multimorbidity, β = −0.10 (−0.12 to −0.08). ACEs were related to allostatic load, β = 0.04 (0.03–0.05) and allostatic load was related to multimorbidity, β = 0.16 (0.15–0.17). The model was significant for males and females and across age cohorts, with qualifications in the oldest stratum (age 75–85). Conclusions ACEs are related to multimorbidity, directly and via social engagement and allostatic load. This is the first study to show mediated pathways between early adversity and multimorbidity in adulthood. It provides a platform for understanding multimorbidity as a lifespan dynamic informing the co-occurrence of the varied disease processes represented in multimorbidity.

scholarly journals Associations between Childhood Abuse, Resilience, Mindfulness, and Waterpipe Smoking: Implications for Cessation Interventions

2021 ◽  
Vol 2021 ◽  
pp. 1-6
Author(s):  
Mohammadreza Naghavi ◽  
Nouzar Nakhaee
Keyword(s):  
College Students ◽  
Childhood Abuse ◽  
Adverse Childhood Experiences ◽  
Structural Equation ◽  
Short Form ◽  
Mediating Effect ◽  
Equation Modeling ◽  
Waterpipe Smoking ◽  
Childhood Experiences ◽  
Adverse Childhood

Introduction. Recent research has established a link between childhood abuse and later drug abuse. For waterpipe smoking (WPS), such a role has not been adequately clarified. Aims. To explore the mediating effect of resilience and mindfulness on the association between childhood abuse and current WPS among college students. Methods. A cross-sectional study was conducted among a consecutive sample ( n = 776 ) of college students in Kerman, Iran. The Adverse Childhood Experiences Abuse Short Form, the 14-item Resilience Scale, and the Freiburg Mindfulness Inventory were used. Structural equation modeling was used to examine the complex associations between variables. Results. Nearly 95% of participants were aged between 18 and 27 years, and the mean (SD) age of students was 22.2 (3.1). Most of them were single (84.4), and 52.7% were female. Prevalence of lifetime and current WPS among students was 49.6% and 33.4%, respectively. Less than one-third ( n = 228 ) of lifetime users first tried smoking by the age of 18. The risk of current WPS was significantly higher in males than females ( β = 0.25 , P < 0.001 ). Childhood abuse was directly associated with current WPS ( β = 0.20 , P < 0.001 ) and resilience ( β = − 0.12 , P < 0.05 ). Adverse childhood experiences were also indirectly (mediated by the effect of the resilience, path coefficient = 0.06 , P < 0.001 ) associated with the risk of WPS. No relationship was seen between trait mindfulness and current WPS ( β = − 0.02 , P = 0.393 ). Resilience was negatively associated with current WPS ( β = − 0.47 , P < 0.001 ). Conclusion. The study revealed the potential importance of childhood abuse and low resilience as risk factors precipitating the onset of WPS. Further studies are warranted to examine the implications of this study for quitting WPS.

scholarly journals Associations of adverse childhood experiences and social support with self-injurious behaviour and suicidality in adolescents

2018 ◽  
Vol 214 (3) ◽  
pp. 146-152 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yuhui Wan ◽  
Ruoling Chen ◽  
Shuangshuang Ma ◽  
Danielle McFeeters ◽  
Ying Sun ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Social Support ◽  
Gender Differences ◽  
Suicidal Ideation ◽  
Suicide Attempt ◽  
Adverse Childhood Experiences ◽  
Interaction Effects ◽  
Childhood Experiences ◽  
Adverse Childhood ◽  
Increased Risk ◽  
The Individual

BackgroundThere is little investigation on the interaction effects of adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) and social support on non-suicidal self-injury (NSSI), suicidal ideation and suicide attempt in community adolescent populations, or gender differences in these effects.AimsTo examine the individual and interaction effects of ACEs and social support on NSSI, suicidal ideation and suicide attempt in adolescents, and explore gender differences.MethodA school-based health survey was conducted in three provinces in China between 2013–2014. A total of 14 820 students aged 10–20 years completed standard questionnaires, to record details of ACEs, social support, NSSI, suicidal ideation and suicide attempt.ResultsOf included participants, 89.4% reported one or more category of ACEs. The 12-month prevalence of NSSI, suicidal ideation and suicide attempt was 26.1%, 17.5% and 4.4%, respectively; all were significantly associated with increased ACEs and lower social support. The multiple adjusted odds ratio of NSSI in low versus high social support was 2.27 (95% CI 1.85–2.67) for girls and 1.81 (95% CI 1.53–2.14) for boys, and their ratio (Ratio of two odds ratios, ROR) was 1.25 (P = 0.037). Girls with high ACEs scores (5–6) and moderate or low social support also had a higher risk of suicide attempt than boys (RORs: 2.34, 1.84 and 2.02, respectively; all P < 0.05).ConclusionsACEs and low social support are associated with increased risk of NSSI and suicidality in Chinese adolescents. Strategies to improve social support, particularly among female adolescents with a high number of ACEs, should be an integral component of targeted mental health interventions.Declaration of interestNone.

Adverse Childhood Experiences, Mental Health, and Risk Behaviors Among Men in the Solomon Islands

2018 ◽  
Vol 30 (6) ◽  
pp. 582-591 ◽  
Author(s):  
Paraniala Silas C. Lui ◽  
Michael P. Dunne ◽  
Philip Baker ◽  
Verzilyn Isom
Keyword(s):  
Risk Behaviors ◽  
Child Protection ◽  
Adverse Childhood Experiences ◽  
Solomon Islands ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Health Risk Behaviors ◽  
Asia Pacific ◽  
Adult Health ◽  
Childhood Experiences ◽  
Adverse Childhood

Compared with many parts of the world, there has been little research in Pacific Island nations into the effects of adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) on adult health. This is a significant gap for local evidence-based child protection. We describe findings from a survey of 400 men aged 18 to 70 years recruited from randomly sampled households in Honiara city, Solomon Islands. Most men reported multiple adversities during childhood (80.7% 3 or more; 46% 5 or more), such as exposure to community and domestic violence, bullying, physical maltreatment, and sexual abuse. Men with multiple ACEs had significantly lower well-being and more psychological distress, recent stressful life events, and health risk behaviors. This study reports the first observation that betel quid chewing increased as a function of multiple ACEs. In comparison with recent East Asian studies, the Solomon Islands data suggest that the collective geographic category of “Asia-Pacific” masks significant intraregional differences in childhood adversities.

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