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Associations of adverse and positive childhood experiences with adult physical and mental health and risk behaviours in Slovenia.

ABSTRACT: Background: Many studies demonstrated the relationship between adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) and diminished health functioning in adulthood. A growing literature has shown that positive childhood experiences (PCEs) co-occurring with ACEs reduce the risks for negative outcomes. Objective: The aim was to investigate how ACEs and PCEs are simultaneously associated with health outcomes in adulthood, including self-rated health, physical and mental health outcomes, and health-risk behaviours. Methods: A panel sample of 4,847 Slovenian adults was used and the data were weighted to closely resemble the Slovenian population. A series of logistic regression analyses were performed to examine how ACEs and PCEs predict the risk of various health outcomes. Results: Significant associations, as measured by adjusted odds ratios, were found between higher ACEs exposure and each of the 16 health outcomes evaluated. Adjusting for above median PCEs attenuated the association between ACEs and 6 health outcomes (poor self-rated physical and mental health, depression, anxiety, suicide attempt, physical inactivity; OR for ≥ 4 vs. 0 ACEs, 1.48-9.34). Mirroring these findings, above median PCEs were associated with lowered odds of these 6 health outcomes after adjusting for ACEs (OR for above vs. below median PCEs, 0.46-0.67), but not with odds of physical health outcomes and most of the health-risk behaviours. Stratified analyses by ACEs exposure level showed that the association between PCEs and self-rated health remained stable across ACEs exposure levels, while the association between PCEs and mental health outcomes and physical inactivity varied across ACEs exposure levels. Conclusions: Our results suggest that above median PCEs attenuate the association between ACEs and poor self-rated health, mental health problems, and physical inactivity in later life, and are negatively associated with these health problems even in the concurrent presence of ACEs. Interventions to promote PCEs can help to reduce unfavourable long-term health outcomes following childhood adversity.

SUBMITTER: Kuhar M

PROVIDER: S-EPMC8253200 | biostudies-literature |

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

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Project description:Importance:Associations between adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) and risks for adult depression, poor mental health, and insufficient social and emotional support have been documented. Less is known about how positive childhood experiences (PCEs) co-occur with and may modulate the effect of ACEs on adult mental and relational health. Objective:To evaluate associations between adult-reported PCEs and (1) adult depression and/or poor mental health (D/PMH) and (2) adult-reported social and emotional support (ARSES) across ACEs exposure levels. Design, Setting, and Participants:Data were from the cross-sectional 2015 Wisconsin Behavioral Risk Factor Survey, a random digit-dial telephone survey of noninstitutionalized Wisconsin adults 18 years and older (n = 6188). Data were weighted to be representative of the entire population of Wisconsin adults in 2015. Data were analyzed between September 2016 and January 2019. Main Outcomes and Measures:The definition of D/PMH includes adults with a depression diagnosis (ever) and/or 14 or more poor mental health days in the past month. The definition of PCEs includes 7 positive interpersonal experiences with family, friends, and in school/the community. Standard Behavioral Risk Factor Survey ACEs and ARSES variables were used. Results:In the 2015 Wisconsin Behavioral Risk Factor Survey sample of adults (50.7% women; 84.9% white), the adjusted odds of D/PMH were 72% lower (OR, 0.28; 95% CI, 0.21-0.39) for adults reporting 6 to 7 vs 0 to 2 PCEs (12.6% vs 48.2%). Odds were 50% lower (OR, 0.50; 95% CI, 0.36-0.69) for those reporting 3 to 5 vs 0 to 2 PCEs (25.1% vs 48.2%). Associations were similar in magnitude for adults reporting 1, 2 to 3, or 4 to 8 ACEs. The adjusted odds that adults reported "always" on the ARSES variable were 3.53 times (95% CI, 2.60-4.80) greater for adults with 6 to 7 vs 0 to 2 PCEs. Associations for 3 to 5 PCEs were not significant. The PCE associations with D/PMH remained stable across each ACEs exposure level when controlling for ARSES. Conclusions and Relevance:Positive childhood experiences show dose-response associations with D/PMH and ARSES after accounting for exposure to ACEs. The proactive promotion of PCEs for children may reduce risk for adult D/PMH and promote adult relational health. Joint assessment of PCEs and ACEs may better target needs and interventions and enable a focus on building strengths to promote well-being. Findings support prioritizing possibilities to foster safe, stable nurturing relationships for children that consider the health outcomes of positive experiences.

Project description:BackgroundSome modifiable risk factors for cancer originate during adolescence. While there is evidence indicating relationships between adverse childhood experiences and health risk behaviours generally, little is known about how childhood adversity influences the engagement of adolescents in cancer risk behaviours. This study aimed to determine the relationship between adverse childhood experiences and adolescent cancer risk behaviours.MethodsData were collected prospectively from birth to age 18 years on children born to mothers enrolled into the Avon Longitudinal Study of Parents and Children (ALSPAC) cohort study. Multivariable linear regression models assessed relationships of a composite exposure measure comprised of adverse childhood experiences (total number of childhood adversities experienced from early infancy until age 9 years) with multiple cancer risk behaviours. The latter was expressed as a single continuous score for tobacco smoking, alcohol consumption, obesity, unsafe sex, and physical inactivity, at ages 11, 14, 16 and 18 years. Analysis was carried out on the complete case and imputation samples of 1,368 and 7,358 participants respectively.ResultsAll adolescent cancer risk behaviours increased in prevalence as the adolescents grew older, except for obesity. Each additional adverse childhood experience was associated with a 0.25 unit increase in adolescent cancer risk behaviour (95% CI 0.16-0.34; p < 0.001). Individually, parental substance misuse (β 0.64, 95% CI 0.25-1.03, p < 0.001) and parental separation (β 0.56, 95% CI 0.27-0.86, p < 0.001) demonstrated the strongest evidence of association with engagement in adolescent cancer risk behaviour.ConclusionChildhood adversity was associated with a greater degree of engagement in adolescent cancer risk behaviours. This finding demonstrates the need for targeted primary and secondary prevention interventions that reduce engagement across multiple cancer risk behaviours for children and adolescents who have experienced adversity in childhood, such as parental substance misuse and separation, and reduce exposure to adversity.

Project description:BackgroundDifferent childhood experiences may affect adult health differently.ObjectiveTo explore the association of different types of positive childhood experiences(PCEs) and adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) with risky behaviours and mental health indicators, andhow PCEs and ACEs are associated with health outcomes in the context of each other.MethodThis was an exploratory cross-sectional online survey including 332 university students in Hong Kong. ACEs (abuse and household challenges), PCEs (perceived safety, positive quality of life, and interpersonal support), risky behaviours (smoking, binge drinking, and sexual initiation), and mental health indicators(depression, anxiety, loneliness, self-rated health, multimorbidity, meaning in life, and life satisfaction)were measured.ResultsThe multivariable logistic regression analysis indicated cumulative effects of PCEs in lowered risks of depression, anxiety, loneliness, as well as better self-rated health, life satisfaction, and meaning in life (p < .05), after adjusting for ACEs. Results also indicated that ACEs had an increasing relationship with poorer mental health indicators, such as anxiety, loneliness, and life satisfaction (p < .05), after adjusting for PCEs. There was also an adverse association between having ≥4 ACEs with smoking and binge drinking. In addition, each type of PCE and ACE was significantly associated with one or more risky behaviours and mental health indicators. Stratified results showed that PCEs had stronger associations with mental health indicators in participants with fewer ACEs. Furthermore, ACEs had stronger associations with mental health indicators in participants with more PCEs than in those with fewer PCEs.ConclusionsIn this study, PCE was proven to be an independent protective factor against poor mental health after accounting for ACE. ACE was also proven to be an independent risk factor for poor mental health and risky behaviours. These findings suggest a crucial need for the active promotion of PCEs and the prevention of child maltreatment. The results of subtypes and stratifications can be taken into consideration when developing targeted interventions in the future.HighlightsPCE is an independent protective factor against poor mental health after accounting for ACE. ACE is an independent risk factor for poor mental health and risky behaviours.PCEs and ACEs have different associations with health outcomes in the context of one another.

Project description:Childhood adversity is a well-established risk factor for mental health problems during adolescence. Using data from the Fragile Families and Child Wellbeing Study and latent class analysis (LCA), we examined patterns of exposure to ten adverse childhood experiences (ACEs), including socioeconomic adversity, among non-Hispanic (NH) White, NH Black, and Hispanic 9 year olds and determined associations between membership in ACE exposure "classes" and depression and anxiety scores at age 15 (N = 2849). Parental separation/divorce, economic hardship, and paternal incarceration were the most common ACEs. ACE prevalence was significantly higher among Blacks and Hispanics. ACEs clustered into four classes for Whites and Hispanics and three classes for Blacks. Over half of Whites were classified in the 'Low Adversity' class. Conversely, most Black and Hispanic adolescents were classified in the 'High Socioeconomic Adversity and Paternal Incarceration' class, characterized by above average probabilities of experiencing family economic hardship, parental separation/divorce, low maternal education, and paternal incarceration. A small share of adolescents in all three racial/ethnic groups were in the 'High Global Adversity' class, characterized by high probability of exposure to most ACEs, including physical and psychological abuse. Finally, ACE class membership was differentially associated with anxiety and depression across the three racial/ethnic groups, with generally larger differences in mental health scores across ACE groups for Whites than for Blacks and Hispanics. Our findings suggest that studies on the associations between ACEs and health outcomes that do not include childhood economic adversity risk underestimating the role of ACEs on mental health among racial/ethnic minorities. Moreover, different patterns of ACE exposure are differentially linked to anxiety and depression, and ACE group membership differences in anxiety and depression vary by racial/ethnic group. Findings suggest the need for racially tailored prevention and intervention strategies.

Project description:ObjectivesTransdiagnostic risk factors-disrupted processes common to psychopathology-link adverse childhood experiences to severe mental disorders (i.e. major depressive disorder, bipolar disorder, and schizophrenia spectrum disorders); however, transdiagnostic protective factors are understudied. The present study investigated the association between a positive mental health framework of protective intra- and interpersonal resources and severe mental disorders in individuals with adverse childhood experiences. We hypothesized that (1) individuals with adverse childhood experiences will experience more severe mental disorders and poorer intra- and interpersonal resources than those without adverse childhood experiences; (2) intrapersonal (e.g. general coping) and interpersonal resources (e.g. emotional support) will interact to predict severe mental disorders.MethodsA total of 1929 adults participated in this population-based study. Participants were assessed for adverse childhood experiences, severe mental disorders, and intra- and interpersonal resources (general coping, general affect, emotional support, interpersonal skills, spirituality, and personal growth and autonomy) via structured interviews and self-reports.ResultsAs hypothesized, individuals with adverse childhood experiences (62.6%) experienced more severe mental disorders and poorer intra- and interpersonal resources than those without adverse childhood experiences. Among those with adverse childhood experiences, emotional support interacted with general coping and general affect to predict severe mental disorders; general coping and general affect were negatively associated with severe mental disorders at high (+1 SD) and low (-1 SD) emotional support, respectively.ConclusionsThe present study identified interactions between specific intrapersonal (i.e. general coping and general affect) and interpersonal resources (i.e. emotional support); knowing among whom and when to intervene are essential for optimal treatment of adverse childhood experiences and severe mental disorders.

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Associations of adverse and positive childhood experiences with adult physical and mental health and risk behaviours in Slovenia.

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