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.