Childhood Adversity and Perceived Distress from the COVID-19 Pandemic

Abstract

Childhood exposure to adversity may increase an individual's reactivity to subsequent stressors. In this paper, we examine how adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) are associated with experiencing greater perceived distress during the pandemic. In this volunteer clinical cohort study, 177 pregnant women (ages 16-38) were recruited from two university-affiliated perinatal clinics located in a small metropolitan city between October 2017 and May 2018. Longitudinal data collection is ongoing. The current study includes the 101 women who participated through the eighth and most recent survey conducted in mid-April 2020. OLS regression analyses were used to examine the association between childhood adversity and pandemic-related distress. We found that ACE scores were associated with higher levels of distress (b = .08; se = .03; p < .01) when controlling for demographic characteristics. The addition of loneliness to the model fully mediates the association between ACEs score and distress. Findings suggest that adverse childhood experiences influence COVID-19-related distress due to greater social isolation. Those who had greater adversity during childhood may be less likely to have the social connectedness needed to reduce distress due to the pandemic.

Disentangling the associations between past childhood adversity and psychopathology during the COVID-19 pandemic: The mediating roles of specific pandemic stressors and coping strategies

“…For instance, to the best of our knowledge, this was the first study to explore what pandemic stressors present the greatest challenge to adults with a history of adverse and traumatic childhood experiences by investigating associations with a range of major stressors. Hence, while previous research found that pandemic stressors related to social restrictions partially mediate the effects of childhood adversity on pandemic mental health ( Seitz et al, 2021 ; Shreffler et al, 2021 ), this study suggested that difficult housing conditions may be an even more concerning consequence of the COVID-19 pandemic for adults with a history of adverse and traumatic childhood experiences. The sense of entrapment that is suggested to negatively impact the mental health of adversity and trauma survivors during the pandemic ( Taggart et al, 2021 ) may thus predominately be explained by stay-at-home orders; and the ensuing challenges might both mirror and recreate past experiences of child adversity and trauma.…”

“…One factor that has been demonstrated to predispose individuals for heightened psychological vulnerability during the COVID-19 pandemic is past exposure to adverse and traumatic childhood experiences ( Chi et al, 2020 ; Kim et al, 2020 ; Seitz et al, 2021 ; Shreffler et al, 2021 ; Tsur & Abu-Raiya, 2020 ). The World Health Organization defines childhood adversity and trauma as all experiences that involve abuse, neglect, or maltreatment, and that leads to potential or actual harm to children ( Butchart et al, 2006 ).…”

“…The pandemic restrictions posed on social activities may reproduce this sense of entrapment by reflecting past abuse and neglect, ultimately resulting in re-traumatization ( Jennings, 2009 ; Taggart et al, 2021 ), and consequently, elevated levels of psychopathology. In support of this notion, some studies suggest that feelings of loneliness and a perceived lack of social support mediate the effects of childhood adversity and trauma on pandemic mental health ( Seitz et al, 2021 ; Shreffler et al, 2021 ), indicating that the pandemic consequences related to social restrictions are of particular concern for this at-risk group. However, it is also plausible that past experiences of childhood adversity and trauma are reflected by other pandemic ramifications, such as stay-at-home orders.…”

Stress-related psychopathology during the COVID-19 pandemic

“…Although research examining whether childhood adversity amplifies vulnerability to developing psychopathology following pandemic-related stressors is limited, several studies have identified potential mechanisms linking childhood adversity with increased risk for distress and psychopathology during the pandemic. These include higher levels of loneliness and social isolation ( Shreffler et al, 2021 ), reduced social support ( Seitz et al, 2021 ), difficulties with emotion regulation ( Janiri et al, 2021 ), a reduced ability to flexibly adapt to new challenges ( Kalia et al, 2020 ), and higher levels of perceived stress ( Gotlib et al, 2021 ; Kalia et al, 2020 ).…”

The mediating role of COVID-19-related burden in the association between adverse childhood experiences and emotional exhaustion: results of the egePan – VOICE study

“…These factors may lead to an increased vulnerability for pandemic-associated stressors. Not surprisingly, ACEs were already found to be associated with higher distress during the pandemic: In the general population, higher rates of loneliness (Shreffler et al, 2021 ) and higher depressive symptoms during the pandemic were seen for persons with ACEs (Kim, Nyengerai, & Mendenhall, 2020 ; Prout et al, 2020 ). Additionally, healthcare professionals of our sample showed that ACEs as well as EE are associated with maladaptive coping strategies such as alcohol drinking, drug and medication use.…”