Separate and cumulative effects of adverse childhood experiences in predicting adult health and health care utilization

This study suggests that childhood abuse and other adverse childhood experiences are overlapping risk factors for long-term adult health problems and that the accumulation of these adverse experiences increases the risk of poor adult health.

Abstract

This study highlights the importance of the many adverse childhood experiences influencing long-term health. In practice, childhood abuse is often difficult to identify as families tend to keep it hidden and reported cases represent only a small percentage of the actual cases. Assessments and interventions which focus on improving socio-economic status, strengthening marital and parent-child relationships, and supporting parents with mental health issues are less threatening for families than assessing their experiences with abuse and neglect and are more likely to be effective in identifying and supporting at-risk families.