Assessing the relationship between adverse childhood experiences and life satisfaction, psychological well-being, and social well-being: United States Longitudinal Cohort 1995-2014

Background More than half of the U.S. population has experienced adverse childhood experiences (ACE), which are linked to physical and mental health issues. This study examines the relationship between ACEs and life satisfaction, psychological well-being, and social well-being. Methods Data of 6323 participants from three waves of the Midlife Development in the United States (1995-1996, 2004-2006, and 2011-2014) were used. Repeated measures models were used to test the associations between ACEs and all three psychosocial scales. Generalized estimating equations (GEE) were used to account for multiple survey measures. Adjusting for demographics and survey wave, GEE models were run for each ACE construct. Results After controlling for demographic covariables, those reporting an ACE had significantly lower levels of life satisfaction (beta = - 0.20, 95% CI - 0.26 to - 0.15) compared to those without an ACE. Those reporting higher ACE counts were associated with lower life satisfaction compared to those with no ACE (beta = - 0.38, 95% CI - 0.56 to - 0.20; beta = - 0.36, 95% CI - 0.46 to - 0.27; and beta = - 0.13, 95% CI - 0.19 to - 0.08 for ACE counts of 3, 2, and 1, respectively). Abuse (beta = - 0.41, 95% CI - 0.48 to - 0.33) and household dysfunction (beta = - 0.18, 95% CI - 0.25 to - 0.10) were associated with significantly lower life satisfaction. Overall, those exposed to ACEs had significantly lower sense of social well-being. Conclusion In this sample of adults, ACEs were significantly associated with lower life satisfaction, lower psychological well-being, and lower social well-being, especially for those who report abuse and household dysfunction during childhood.