When Problems Only Get Bigger: The Impact of Adverse Childhood Experience on Adult Health

Frontiers in Psychology

article

Márcia Novais¹  Teresa Henriques²  Maria João Vidal-Alves¹  Teresa Magalhães¹ 

[1] School of Medicine, Universidade do Porto (University of Porto);Department of Community Medicine, Information and Health Decisions, School of Medicine, University of Porto;Center for Research in Health Technologies and Services, School of Medicine, University of Porto;Department of Public and Forensic Health Sciences and Medical Education, School of Medicine, University of Porto;University Institute of Health Sciences - CESPU

关键词: child abuse;    trauma;    adverse childhood experience;    health;    risk behavior;   

DOI  :  10.3389/fpsyg.2021.693420

学科分类：社会科学、人文和艺术（综合）

来源: Frontiers

【 摘 要 】

Introduction: Previous studies have shown that adverse childhood experiences negatively impact child development, with consequences throughout the lifespan. Some of these consequences include the exacerbation or onset of several pathologies and risk behaviors. Materials and Methods: A convenience sample of 398 individuals aged 20 years or older from the Porto metropolitan area, with quotas, was collected. The evaluation was conducted using an anonymous questionnaire that included sociodemographic questions about exposure to adverse childhood experiences, a list of current health conditions, questions about risk behaviors, the AUDIT-C test, the Fagerström test and the Childhood Trauma Questionnaire–brief form. Variables were quantified to measure adverse childhood experiences, pathologies, and risk behaviors in adult individuals for comparison purposes. Results: Individuals with different forms of adverse childhood experiences present higher rates of smoking dependence, self-harm behaviors, victimization of/aggression toward intimate partners, early onset of sexual life, sexually transmitted infections, multiple sexual partners, abortions, anxiety, depression, diabetes, arthritis, high cholesterol, hypertension, and stroke. Different associations are analyzed and presented. Discussion and Conclusions: The results show that individuals with adverse childhood experiences have higher total scores for more risk behaviors and health conditions than individuals without traumatic backgrounds. These results are relevant for health purposes and indicate the need for further research to promote preventive and protective measures.

【 授权许可】

CC BY