Adverse childhood experiences: retrospective study to determine their impact on adult health behaviours and health outcomes in a UK population

Studies suggest strong links between adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) and poor adult health and social outcomes. However, the use of such studies in non-US populations is relatively scarce. Retrospective cross-sectional survey of 1500 residents and 67 substance users aged 1870 years in a relatively deprived and ethnically diverse UK population. Increasing ACEs were strongly related to adverse behavioural, health and social outcomes. Compared with those with 0 ACEs, individuals with 4 ACEs had adjusted odds ratios of the following: 3.96 [95 confidence interval (CI): 2.745.73] for smoking; 3.72 (95 CI: 2.375.85) for heavy drinking; 8.83 (95 CI: 4.4217.62) for incarceration and 3.02 (95 CI: 1.386.62) for morbid obesity. They also had greater risk of poor educational and employment outcomes; low mental wellbeing and life satisfaction; recent violence involvement; recent inpatient hospital care and chronic health conditions. Higher ACEs were also associated with having caused/been unintentionally pregnant aged 18 years and having been born to a mother aged 20 years. ACEs contribute to poor life-course health and social outcomes in a UK population. That ACEs are linked to involvement in violence, early unplanned pregnancy, incarceration, and unemployment suggests a cyclic effect where those with higher ACE counts have higher risks of exposing their own children to ACEs.