Self-Acceptance and Purpose in Life Are Mechanisms Linking Adverse Childhood Experiences to Mortality Risk.
Psychosom Med
; 86(2): 83-88, 2024.
Article
en En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-37982544
ABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE:
Adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) are associated with an increased risk of premature mortality, but it is not clear why. Individuals with ACEs tend to have lower self-acceptance and purpose in life, which may be pathways between ACEs and risk of premature mortality. As such, we tested whether purpose and self-acceptance are mechanisms that link ACEs to mortality risk.METHODS:
We used the Midlife in the United States Survey ( N = 6218; mean [standard deviation] = 46.89 [12.94] years) to test whether these factors were indirect pathways between ACEs and mortality hazards over 24 years of follow-up. We used a comprehensive ACE measure that included 20 possible childhood adversities including emotional and physical abuse, household instability, socioeconomic climate, and ill health.RESULTS:
ACEs significantly increased mortality risk (hazard ratio = 1.028, 95% confidence interval = 1.008-1.047, p = .006). Self-acceptance and purpose accounted for an estimated 15% and 4% of the ACEs-mortality relation, respectively. These effects withstood a range of adjustments and sensitivity analyses.CONCLUSIONS:
ACEs may affect mortality risk partially through lower self-acceptance and purpose during adulthood. Given that self-acceptance and purpose may change through intervention, these factors may be useful targets for individuals with ACEs that could lead to a longer life.
Texto completo:
1
Colección:
01-internacional
Base de datos:
MEDLINE
Asunto principal:
Experiencias Adversas de la Infancia
Límite:
Adult
/
Humans
País/Región como asunto:
America do norte
Idioma:
En
Revista:
Psychosom Med
Año:
2024
Tipo del documento:
Article