Childhood abuse and neglect, and mortality risk in adulthood: A systematic review and meta-analysis

D’Arcy-Bewick, Sinéad; Terracciano, Antonio; Turiano, Nicholas A.; Sutin, Angelina R.; Long, Róisín; Ó’Súilleabháin, Páraic S

doi:10.1016/j.chiabu.2022.105922

Cited by 10 publications

(17 citation statements)

References 53 publications

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“…Lastly, a consensus on the definition and method of measurement of lifetime trauma would greatly advance this area. While similar challenges are also observed in related literature (D'Arcy-Bewick et al, 2022), vast differences in definitions could lead to considerable variability in findings. For this review, we conducted a rigorous and broad search to capture all relevant publications.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 58%

“…The research to date has primarily focused on males; focusing further research on females and extending the studies to include gender identities as well as binary sex will further enhance the generalizability of the studies. Underlying components of lifetime trauma could potentially contribute differentially to mortality (Butler et al, 2023; D’Arcy-Bewick et al, 2022), particularly given the accumulative impact of effects on health process over long periods (e.g., Sesker et al, 2022). It would also be useful for a future review to focus specifically on characteristics underlying the trauma being examined and by exploring if certain types of trauma (e.g., D’Arcy-Bewick et al, 2023) are more likely to occur in certain populations than others, and what implications that may have for mortality risk.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Lifetime trauma and mortality risk: A systematic review.

Buckley,

Turiano,

Sesker

et al. 2024

Health Psychology

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Objective: Various literature are suggestive of a relation between lifetime trauma and mortality risk in adulthood, however, findings seem unclear and inconsistent. In our preregistered review, we conducted a systematic review to examine the association between lifetime trauma and mortality risk in adulthood. Method: Six databases (Scopus, Web of Science, CINAHL [EBSCO], PsycInfo [EBSCO], Embase, and Medline [PubMed]); were searched up to April 2023 for studies reporting adult mortality outcomes associated with traumatic events accumulated across the lifespan. Five studies were found, and a narrative review of the literature was conducted. Results: Five studies met the inclusion criteria, including 5,506 individuals. Two studies with men/male-only samples reported no relation between lifetime trauma and mortality risk; however, three studies with a mixed-sex sample found a positive relation between lifetime trauma and mortality risk, indicating that the more traumatic events a person has across their lifespan, the greater their mortality risk. Conclusion: Lifetime trauma appears to be associated with mortality risk during adulthood. The strongest evidence stems from larger samples. However, research is sparse and inconclusive. A plethora of additional research is needed to address several limitations within the current literature, which includes utilizing standardized measures of lifetime trauma, replication of effects, and the examination of vulnerable and underrepresented populations. Public Significance StatementThis review found that lifetime trauma-cumulative trauma and stressful life events-appears to be related to premature death across adulthood. In highlighting the importance of examining the effects of lifetime trauma on risk of death, this review also identifies several important avenues for future research to advance the area.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 58%

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Lifetime trauma and mortality risk: A systematic review.

Buckley,

Turiano,

Sesker

et al. 2024

Health Psychology

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“…The 20 items were summed into an overall ACE score that ranged from 0 to 20. See Table S1, Supplemental Digital Content, http://links.lww.com/PSYMED/A982, for an outline of each dimension, type of adversity, and item definitions (3).…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…A dverse childhood experiences (ACEs) have wide-ranging consequences across the life span (1), including mortality risk (for a review, see Ref. (2)) that is accumulative (risk not plateauing) in nature (3). Given the complex nature of such experiences and their health-relevant consequences, it is likely that mechanisms permeate a variety of interconnected and complex systems.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Self-Acceptance and Purpose in Life Are Mechanisms Linking Adverse Childhood Experiences to Mortality Risk

O’Súilleabháin,

D’Arcy-Bewick,

Fredrix

et al. 2023

Psychosom Med

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Objective Adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) are associated with increased risk of premature mortality, but it is not clear why. Individuals with ACEs tend to have lower self-acceptance and purpose in life, which may be pathways between ACEs and risk of premature mortality. As such, we tested whether purpose and self-acceptance are mechanisms that link ACEs to mortality risk. Methods We used the Midlife in the United States Survey (N = 6218; M ± SD = 46.89 ± 12.94 years) to test whether these factors were indirect pathways (mediated) the association between ACEs and mortality hazards over 24 years of follow-up. We employed a comprehensive ACEs measure that included 20 possible childhood adversities including emotional and physical abuse, household instability, socioeconomic climate, and ill health. Results ACEs significantly increased mortality risk, HR = 1.028, 95% CI (1.008, 1.047), p = 0.006. Self-acceptance and purpose accounted for an estimated 15% and 4% of the ACEs-mortality relation respectively. These effects withstood a range of adjustments and sensitivity analyses. Conclusions ACEs may impact mortality risk partially through lower self-acceptance and purpose during adulthood. Given that self-acceptance and purpose may change through intervention, these factors may be useful targets for individuals with ACEs that could lead to a longer life.

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“…We know that the problem of violence against children remains a social emergency (Longobardi et al, 2022) and that school is a context in which forms of violence can occur (Longobardi et al, 2019b,c;Badenes-Ribera et al, 2022). Violence against children and youth has short-and long-term effects on individuals' psychological and social adjustment (Norman et al, 2012;Prino et al, 2019;D'arcy-Bewick et al, 2022), and this can also impact society in terms of costs and the risk of creating less equitable, inclusive, and peaceful societies.…”

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confidence: 99%