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. 2015 Jul:45:143-53.
doi: 10.1016/j.chiabu.2015.03.008. Epub 2015 Apr 4.

Life course pathways of adverse childhood experiences toward adult psychological well-being: A stress process analysis

Paula S Nurius  1 , Sara Green  1 , Patricia Logan-Greene  2 , Sharon Borja  1
Affiliations

Life course pathways of adverse childhood experiences toward adult psychological well-being: A stress process analysis

Paula S Nurius et al. Child Abuse Negl. 2015 Jul.

Abstract

Growing evidence suggests that toxic stressors early in life not only convey developmental impacts but also augment risk of proliferating chains of additional stressors that can overwhelm individual coping and undermine recovery and health. Examining trauma within a life course stress process perspective, we posit that early childhood adversity carries a unique capacity to impair adult psychological well-being both independent of and cumulative with other contributors, including social disadvantage and stressful adult experiences. This study uses data from a representative population-based health survey (N=13,593) to provide one of the first multivariate assessments of unique, cumulative, and moderated effects of adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) toward explaining 3 related yet distinct measures of adult mental health: perceived well-being, psychological distress, and impaired daily activities. Results demonstrate support for each set of hypothesized associations, including exacerbation and amelioration of ACEs effects by adult stress and resilience resources, respectively. Implications for services and future research are discussed.

Keywords: Adverse childhood experiences; Mental health; Stress; Trauma; Victimization.

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Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Illustrating moderation relationships: adult stress (amplifying) and sense of community (buffering) effects of ACEs on missed days activities and perceived well-being.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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