Stress that Endures: Influence of Adverse Childhood Experiences on Daily Life Stress and Physical Health in Adulthood. J Affect Disord 2021 Apr 01;284:38-43
Date
02/15/2021Pubmed ID
33582431Pubmed Central ID
PMC8040325DOI
10.1016/j.jad.2021.02.018Scopus ID
2-s2.0-85100613945 (requires institutional sign-in at Scopus site) 10 CitationsAbstract
BACKGROUND: Understanding the influence of ACEs on reported daily stress is needed to further address the role of ACEs on adult health and well-being.
METHODS: Data from 3,235 adults in the Midlife in the US (MIDUS) (Wave 1 (1995-1996) and Wave II (2004-2006)) were used. ACEs included emotional and physical abuse, household dysfunction, and financial strain. Daily stress was assessed using the National Study of Daily Experiences survey. Generalized Estimating Equations were used to examine the relationship between ACEs and Daily Stress.
RESULTS: ACE exposure was associated with higher number of reported stressors per day (p<.05), stressor severity (p<.05), number of physical symptoms reported (p<.05), and negative affect (p<.05). ACE count was significantly associated with multiple stressor types (OR=1.73, 95% 1.05-2.82) and number of days reported with stressor (RR=1.14, 95% 1.00-1.30). Abuse specifically was associated with a higher number of days reported with a stressor (RR=1.23, 95% CI 1.16 - 1.30).
LIMITATIONS: Assessment of ACEs is retrospective and self-reported. Secondly, this data is limited by ACE category. Specifically, sexual abuse and other forms of family dysfunction were not included in this dataset.
CONCLUSIONS: ACEs are associated with increased report of daily stress as an adult, reported physical symptoms as a result of stress, and reports of poor negative affect in adulthood. These findings highlight the role that ACEs play in the occurrence of reported daily stress during adulthood. Further investigation is needed to establish treatment and interventions for individuals who have experienced ACEs to avoid worsening health conditions and promote positive coping skills.
Author List
Mosley-Johnson E, Campbell JA, Garacci E, Walker RJ, Egede LEAuthors
Jennifer Annette Campbell PhD, MPH Assistant Professor in the Medicine department at Medical College of WisconsinLeonard E. Egede MD Center Director, Chief, Professor in the Medicine department at Medical College of Wisconsin
Rebekah Walker PhD Associate Professor in the Medicine department at Medical College of Wisconsin
MESH terms used to index this publication - Major topics in bold
AdultChild
Child Abuse
Humans
Physical Abuse
Retrospective Studies
Stress, Psychological