scholarly journals The Direct and Indirect Influences of Adverse Childhood Experiences on Physical Health: A Cross-Sectional Study

Author(s):  
Yolanda Martín-Higarza ◽  
Yolanda Fontanil ◽  
María Dolores Méndez ◽  
Esteban Ezama

A growing and significant body of research has documented the close relationship between adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) and health outcomes in adults. Less is known about the complex pathways through which ACEs exert their influence. This article examines the direct relationship between the quality of perceived physical health and childhood adversities. The association between the adversities and the physical health with other psychological and social variables is also analyzed. Data were collected from a sample of 170 subjects, using tools to assess adverse childhood experiences, physical health-related quality of life, socioeconomic vulnerability, emotion regulation, coping strategies, attachment, and social support. Results showed a high frequency of ACEs among the adult population, and the correlation with poor physical health was highly significant. Regression equations to predict physical health also revealed the following as significant variables: wishful thinking, social withdrawal, and cognitive restructuring as coping styles; reappraisal to achieve emotion regulation; fear of rejection or abandonment, and desire for closeness in relation to attachment figures; hardship; and poor financial support. The relationship between the different forms of ACE and social vulnerability identifies the important indirect contribution of childhood adversity to health and socioeconomic conditions in adulthood.

BMJ Open ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (3) ◽  
pp. e045167
Author(s):  
Mythily Subramaniam ◽  
Edimansyah Abdin ◽  
Janhavi Ajit Vaingankar ◽  
Sherilyn Chang ◽  
Rajeswari Sambasivam ◽  
...  

ObjectivesSeveral studies have linked diabetes mellitus to adverse childhood experiences (ACEs). While a number of studies have examined the association between ACEs and diabetes in Western populations, few have done it in Asian populations. The current study aimed to examine (1) the association between ACEs and diabetes, including the association after age stratification, and (2) the association of comorbid depression, resource use and health-related quality of life (HRQoL) among those with diabetes and ACEs in Singapore.SettingsParticipants were surveyed in their homes or any other preferred venue of their choice.Participants6126 individuals aged 18 years and above were randomly selected among Singapore residents.DesignCross-sectional nationwide epidemiological study.ResultsExposure to any ACE was not associated with increased odds of diabetes; however, those who had experienced parental separation, death or divorce of a parent had higher odds of diabetes. In addition, we observed significant interaction between age and ACEs in relation to odds of diabetes. ACEs were significantly associated with higher odds of diabetes mainly in the younger age group. The prevalence of major depressive disorder was significantly higher among those with diabetes and ACEs than those with diabetes alone (3.7% and 0.3% respectively).ConclusionsEfforts to promote regular exercise and healthy lifestyles both in the population and among those with diabetes must continue for the prevention and management of diabetes. The findings emphasise the need to create more awareness of both the prevalence and impact of ACEs among those treating chronic diseases.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Vianney NYIRIMANA ◽  
Bizoza RUTAKAYILE ◽  
Charles MUDENGE ◽  
Aimable MUSAFILI ◽  
Cindi CASSADY ◽  
...  

Abstract Background The world is dealing with a significant socio-economic burden that must be addressed to secure a favourable future.To figure out this problem, there is an urgent need of healthy and well educated adult population to participate effectively in global economy.Indeed, childhood experiences may affect adult health outcome.Responsive caregiving during childhood is associated with good physical and mental health.On the other hand,a strong link was established between Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) and poor adult physical and mental health outcomes.This study assessed the prevalence of ACEs among adult patients with mental disorders admitted to the post-crisis wards at Caraes Ndera Neuropsychiatric Hospital in Kigali, Rwanda. Methodology : This research was developed as a descriptive cross-sectional study that involved a total of 122 patients aged 18 to 64 years.A convenience sampling was used to collect data using the the Adverse Childhood Experiences International Questionnaire (ACE-IQ). Data was analyzed in terms of frequencies and percentages using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS 21.0). Results Initially, 159 participants were invited to join the study, 122 (77%) met the inclusion criteria and voluntarily consented to participate. Of the 122 participants, 43.4% were female, 61% were youth, 67.2% had primary school as the highest level of education and 29.5% did not work during the last 12 months. Having separated/divorced or deceased parents was the most frequent ACE item with 64.8% of participants responding affirmatively. Nearly all (98.4%) participants had at least one ACE and 77.9% had at least 4 ACEs. Conclusions This study on ACEs in Rwandan adults with mental disorders revealed that 98.4% had at least one ACE and almost 80% of the 122 participants had at least 4 ACEs.The findings indicate that there is a significant need to implement interventions necessary for the prevention of ACEs. Such interventions are necessary to mitigate negative effects of ACEs on child development, to increase children’s resiliency and to improve future adult physical and mental health outcomes.


2018 ◽  
Vol 2018 ◽  
pp. 1-15 ◽  
Author(s):  
Amy Chanlongbutra ◽  
Gopal K. Singh ◽  
Curt D. Mueller

Exposure to adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) is associated with increased odds of high‐risk behaviors and adverse health outcomes. This study examined whether ACE exposure among individuals living in rural areas of the United States is associated with adult activity limitations, self‐reported general poor health status, chronic diseases, and poor mental health. Data from the 2011 and 2012 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS) (N=79,810) from nine states were used to calculate the prevalence of ACEs in rural and urban areas. ACE scores were determined by summing 11 survey items. Multiple logistic regression was used to examine the association between ACE scores and health outcomes, including self‐reported general health status, chronic diseases, and health‐related quality of life. Approximately 55.4% of rural respondents aged ≥18 years reported at least one ACE and 14.7% reported experiencing ≥4 ACEs in their childhood, compared to 59.5% of urban residents who reported at least one ACE and 15.5% reporting ≥4 ACEs. After adjusting for sociodemographic covariates, compared to rural respondents who never reported an ACE, rural respondents who experienced ≥1 ACEs had increased odds of reporting fair/poor general health, activity limitations, and heart disease, which is consistent with previous studies. The odds of experiencing a heart attack were higher for rural residents reporting 2 and ≥4 ACEs; the odds of diabetes were higher for those with 3 ACEs; and the odds of ever having asthma or poor mental health was higher for those with ≥3 ACEs. Although individuals in rural areas are less likely to experience ACEs, over half of rural respondents reported experiencing an ACE in childhood. Programs aimed at preventing ACEs, including child maltreatment, can benefit rural areas by reducing adult morbidity and increasing quality of life.


F1000Research ◽  
2017 ◽  
Vol 6 ◽  
pp. 1978 ◽  
Author(s):  
Muhammad Haaris Sheikh ◽  
Sadiq Naveed ◽  
Ahmed Waqas ◽  
Ihtisham Tahir Jaura

Introduction: The present study explores the association of adverse childhood experiences with impulsivity and functional identity among Pakistani adults. Methods: In this cross-sectional study, 260 Pakistani medical students aged 18 and above were approached. A consent form, a questionnaire on sociodemographic characteristics, and an English versions of the Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACE) scale, Functions of Identity scale (FIS) and Barratt’s Impulsiveness Scale (BIS-11) was employed in this study. All data were analyzed in SPSS v. 20. Results: A total of 122 (52.6%) of respondents had experienced at least one adverse childhood experience. According to linear regression analysis, ACE scores were significantly associated with increasing age, increasing order in birth, lower scores on functional identity structure and non-planning impulsivity, and higher scores on future (functional identity) and motor impulsivity. Conclusions: A high proportion of Pakistani medical students reported adverse childhood experiences, which lead to impulsive behaviors and poor functional identities.


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