Examining relationships between positive and adverse childhood experiences with physical and mental health indicators in a low-income adult sample.

BACKGROUND: Emerging research on positive and adverse childhood experiences (PCEs and ACEs) indicates that both may be important to adult health, but little is understood about the pathways through which childhood experiences affect adult health. OBJECTIVE: The aims of this study were to 1) examine how shame may mediate the relationship between childhood experiences and health, and 2) whether PCEs moderated the relationship between ACEs, shame, and adult health. PARTICIPANTS AND SETTING: The sample consisted of 206 low-income adults ages 18-55 who were living in a community in the Intermountain West. METHODS: Participants were recruited at a local food bank and community center where various services for low-income residents were offered. Each participant completed a 15-20-minute survey. The data were analyzed using a structural equation modeling (SEM) framework. RESULTS: Shame mediated the relationship between both ACEs and PCEs with depression in the expected direction. Among participants with low-to-moderate PCEs, ACEs were directly associated with shame and tobacco usage. Among participants with high PCEs, ACEs were not associated with shame, depression, nor stress, and the relationship between ACEs and tobacco usage was attenuated. CONCLUSION: Shame may be an important pathway through which childhood experiences affect adult health. Additionally, promoting high levels of PCEs may mitigate the negative effects of early adversity on adult health.

The effects of adverse and advantageous childhood experiences on adult health in a low-income sample.

BACKGROUND: Previous studies have indicated the advantageous childhood experiences (counter-ACEs) may improve health in adulthood regardless of adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) scores. However, these studies have primarily been conducted in low-risk communities, and little is known whether the results are similar in low-income settings. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of ACEs and counter-ACEs on mental and physical health in a low-income sample. A secondary objective was to assess the effects of repeated and prolonged exposure to ACEs on later health. PARTICIPANTS AND SETTING: The sample included 206 low-income adults living in the western United States who completed a survey about their childhood experiences and adult health. METHODS: A series of logistic regression analyses were performed to examine the effects of ACEs and counter-ACEs on adult health. RESULTS: Irrespective of ACEs, counter-ACEs were associated with lower odds of having two or more emotional and cognitive health problems and lower odds of suicidality in the past 12 months. When accounting for counter-ACEs, ACEs were associated with higher odds of having ever smoked and suicidality in the past 12 months, though these odds were attenuated compared to the unadjusted models. In the presence of repeated or prolonged ACEs exposure, counter-ACEs were associated with lower odds of having ever smoked and emotional and cognitive health problems. CONCLUSIONS: The findings suggest that helping children develop healthy relationships within their family, community, and school may lead to improved health in adulthood even in the presence of poverty and childhood adversity.

ACEs and counter-ACEs: How positive and negative childhood experiences influence adult health.

BACKGROUND: Numerous studies over the past two decades have found a link between adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) and worse adult health outcomes. Less well understood is how advantageous childhood experiences (counter-ACEs) may lead to better adult health, especially in the presence of adversity. OBJECTIVE: To examine how counter-ACEs and ACEs affect adult physical and mental health using Resiliency Theory as the theoretical framework. PARTICIPANTS AND SETTING: Participants were Amazon mTurk users ages 19-57 years (N = 246; 42% female) who completed an online survey. METHODS: We conducted a series of regression analyses to examine how counter-ACEs and ACEs predicted adult health. RESULTS: Corresponding to the Compensatory Model of Resiliency Theory, higher counter-ACEs scores were associated with improved adult health and that counter-ACEs neutralized the negative impact of ACEs on adult health. Contrary to the Protective Factors Model, there was a stronger relationship between ACEs and worse adult health among those with above average counter-ACEs scores compared to those with below average counter-ACEs scores. Consistent with the Challenge Model, counter-ACEs had a reduced positive effect on adult health among those with four or more ACEs compared to those with fewer than four ACEs. CONCLUSIONS: Overall, the findings suggest that counter-ACEs protect against poor adult health and lead to better adult wellness. When ACEs scores are moderate, counter-ACEs largely neutralize the negative effects of ACEs on adult health. Ultimately, the results demonstrate that a public health approach to promoting positive childhood experiences may promote better lifelong health.