The influence of adverse and advantageous childhood experiences during adolescence on young adult health. (October 2020)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Crandall, AliceAnn; Broadbent, Eliza; Stanfill, Melissa; Magnusson, Brianna M.; Novilla, M. Lelinneth B.; Hanson, Carl L.; Barnes, Michael D.
• Is Part Of: Child abuse & neglect. Volume 108(2020)
• Publication Date: 2020-10
• Subjects: Adverse childhood experiences -- Adolescents -- Young adults -- Mental health -- Structural equation modeling; Child abuse -- Periodicals; 362.76
• DOI: 10.1016/j.chiabu.2020.104644
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0145-2134

Abstract

Abstract: Background: Research indicates that adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) can lead to poorer adult health, but less is known how advantageous childhood experiences (counter-ACEs) may neutralize the negative effects of ACEs, particularly in young adulthood. Purpose: We examined the independent contributions of Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) and Advantageous Childhood Experiences (counter-ACEs) that occur during adolescence on five young adult health indicators: depression, anxiety, risky sexual behaviors, substance abuse, and positive body image. Participants and setting: The sample included 489 adolescents from a large northwestern city in the United States who were 10–13 years at baseline (51 % female). Methods: Flourishing Families Project survey data were used for this secondary analysis using structural equation modeling. Adolescents and their parents completed an annual survey. ACEs and counter-ACEs were measured over the first five years of the study. The five health indicators were measured in wave 10 when participants were 20–23 years old. Results: Participants had on average 2.7 ACEs and 8.2 counter-ACEs. When both ACEs and counter-ACEs were included in the model, ACEs were not predictive of any of the health indicators and counter-ACEs were predictive of less risky sex (-.12, p < .05), substance abuse (-.12, p < .05), depression (-.11, p < .05), and a more positive body image (.15, p < .01). Higher ratios of counter-ACEs to ACEs had a particularly strong effect on improved young adult health. Conclusions: Counter-ACEs that occur in adolescence may diminish the negative effects of ACEs on young adult health and independently contribute to better health.