Citation

Sasaki N, Watanabe K, Kanamori Y, Tabuchi T, Fujiwara T, Nishi D. Sci. Rep. 2024; 14(1): e12015.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2024, Nature Publishing Group)

DOI

10.1038/s41598-024-62634-7

PMID

38797740

Abstract

The study aimed to examine the association of expanded adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) with psychological distress in adulthood. The data from nation-wide online cohort was used for analysis. Community dwelling adults in Japan were included. The ACEs was assessed by 15 items of ACE-J, including childhood poverty and school bullying. Severe psychological distress was determined as the score of Kessler 6 over 13. Multivariable logistic regression analysis was conducted, by using sample weighting. A total of 28,617 participants were analyzed. About 75% of Japanese people had one or more ACEs. The prevalence of those with ACEs over 4 was 14.7%. Those with ACEs over 4 showed adjusted odds ratio = 8.18 [95% CI 7.14-9.38] for severe psychological distress. The prevalence of childhood poverty was 29% for 50-64 year old participants and 40% of 65 or older participants. The impact of childhood poverty on psychological distress was less than other ACEs in these age cohorts. Bullying was experienced 21-27% in young generations, but 10% in 65 or older participants. However, the impact on psychological distress in adulthood was relatively high in all age groups. ACEs have impacted mental health for a long time. Future research and practice to reduce ACEs are encouraged.

Language: en

Keywords

*Adverse Childhood Experiences/statistics & numerical data/psychology; *Bullying/psychology/statistics & numerical data; *Mental Health; *Natural Disasters; *Poverty; Adolescent; Adult; Aged; Anxiety; Child; Depression; Female; Humans; Japan/epidemiology; Life-course; Male; Maltreatment; Middle Aged; Prevalence; Psychological Distress; Public health; Schools; Young Adult