The Relation Between Adverse Childhood Experiences and Health Behaviors in Adult Women.

Abstract

Purpose: This study aims to identify whether adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) influence health lifestyles throughout adulthood and examine how ACEs influence dimensions of health lifestyles.

Design: The data was collected cross-sectionally through an online questionnaire.

Setting: Individuals were invited to participate in an online survey for a larger brain health study as a pre-screening measure.

Subjects: Women in the Midwest between 18-25 and 65-85 who reported either no ACEs or 3 or more ACEs completed the survey, with 233 women answering all questionnaires.

Measures: Demographic indicators, the 10-item ACEs questionnaire, and the Health Promoting Lifestyle Profile (HPLP-II).

Analysis: Independent sample t-tests revealed significantly lower scores for ACEs group on the HPLP-II and the 6 subcategories (heath responsibility, interpersonal relationships, nutrition, physical activity, spiritual growth, and stress management). A structural equation model using the 3 ACE categories (abuse, neglect, and household dysfunction) and 6 health domains showed substantial differences in the variance captured for each health behavior.

Results: Findings indicate that abuse predicts physical activity, stress management, and spiritual growth (β = -.21, -.23, -.20); neglect predicts interpersonal relationships and spiritual growth (β = -.17, -.18); and household dysfunction predicts health responsibility, nutrition, stress management, and interpersonal relations (β = -.20, -.22, -.10, -.17).

Conclusion: The present investigation extends research in displaying that ACEs play a significant role in future health behaviors, with household dysfunction being the greatest predictor.