Further exploring the impact of cumulative lifetime adversity on life satisfaction, psychological flourishing, and depressive symptoms

Abstract

Current research provides conflicting views of the relationship between cumulative lifetime adversity and dispositional functioning. We examined this relationship in a sample of adults (N = 1009), conducting the analysis three ways: by utilizing a sum score of adversity across all ages; examining events that occurred before and after age 18 separately; and assessing this relationship using empirically-derived domains of adversity. Results indicate that the type of adversity has a unique impact on future well-being. These findings underscore that adversity’s unique impact on well-being is influenced by the way in which adversity is operationalized, more so than by the timing of adverse events. Results highlight the importance of clarifying the nuanced relationship between adverse life events and mental health in future research.