Journal
QUALITY OF LIFE RESEARCH
Volume 28, Issue 4, Pages 907-914Publisher
SPRINGER
DOI: 10.1007/s11136-018-2054-6
Keywords
Adverse childhood experiences; Life satisfaction; Psychologicalwell-being; Social well-being
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Funding
- National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases [K24DK093699]
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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.
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