Adverse Childhood Experiences in Parents and Their Effects on Adult Children

Abstract

Adverse childhood experiences (ACE) are associated with negative psychological consequences later in life, for both the victims and their children. The present study examines the links between parents’ ACE and psychological outcomes in their adult children. A sample of 162 participants from 54 intact families with adult children was evaluated for ACE history and current mental health. Results showed that ACE was a predictor of mental health for all the participants, explaining 31.2% of the variance. Furthermore, parents’ ACE, negative parenting, and parents’ marital satisfaction had a significant influence on their adult children’s mental health. The results also showed that fathers’ ACE are associated with negative parenting, as well as their adult children’s ACE and self-reported psychopathological symptoms. These results point to the importance of examining multiple familial factors in the development of psychopathology in young adults. Limitations of the study are also presented.