Adverse childhood experiences and well-being in middle-aged men in South Korea: mediating role of andropause symptoms.

Abstract

Background: Middle-aged men in South Korea are in a critical period marked by significant physical and psychosocial transitions. While adverse childhood experiences negatively affect lifelong health, the specific mechanisms affecting well-being during midlife remain underexplored. This study aimed to examine the mediating role of andropause symptoms in the relationship between adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) and well-being.

Methods: A cross-sectional survey involving 444 community-dwelling Korean men aged 40-64 years was conducted from June to August 2024. Data were collected via an online questionnaire to assess ACEs, andropause symptoms, and well-being. The SAS 9.4 and PROCESS macro were used for data analysis.

Results: The participants had a mean age of 50.8 years. High levels of well-being were significantly associated with being married, higher educational attainment, and higher income. Participants reporting high ACEs had significantly lower levels of well-being than those reporting no ACEs. In the mediating analysis, the indirect effect of andropause symptoms on the relationships between ACEs and well-being was statistically significant (β = -0.08, 95% CI = -0.109 to -0.053). This finding suggests that andropause symptoms partially mediate the relationship between ACEs and well-being in middle-aged men.

Conclusions: Andropause symptoms appeared to partially mediated the relationship between ACEs and well-being in middle-aged Korean men. Although both ACEs and andropause symptoms are associated with midlife well-being, they have rarely been addressed together. Community-based programs combining trauma-informed counseling and andropause management are needed to improve well-being in middle-aged men.