Abstract
Prior research has established the negative effects of childhood adverse events on adult health. Despite this, few researchers have accounted for the impact of potentially confounding factors, including adulthood adverse events. The current study used data obtained from a uniquely generalizable sample (N = 34,653) to investigate the predictive effects of reported experience of any childhood adverse event, count of childhood adverse event types, and severity of childhood adverse events on quality of adult physical and mental health. A hierarchical linear regression analysis indicated that, for adult physical health, there was a significant main effect for experience of adulthood adverse events (ΔR2 = .01, p < .001) and a significant interaction effect between adulthood adverse events and all three predictor variables (ΔR2 = .01, p < .001). A hierarchical linear regression analysis indicated that, for adult mental health, there was a significant main effect for experience of adulthood adverse events (ΔR2 = .02, p < .001) and a significant interaction effect between adulthood adverse events and all three predictor variables (ΔR2 = .03, p < .001). Although the models were significant, they explained little variance, suggesting a youthful resilience against the long-term effects of childhood adverse events. These findings support the multifaceted relationship between childhood adverse events and adult health. Treatment providers may increase efficacy by focusing on preventative care for childhood clients who have experienced adverse events.
Document Type
Article
Publication Date
2018
Recommended Citation
Lauren Clatch, Amanda Rosinski, Rebecca A. Weiss, Childhood Adverse Events and Adult Physical and Mental Health: A National Study, 23 Psi Chi J. Psychol. Res. 40 (2018).
