History of Non-Fatal Physical Assault Is Associated with Premature Mortality for Whites but Not Blacks

Abstract

Exposure to trauma increases the long-term risk of mortality, and experiencing non-fatal physical assault is not an exception. To better understand population heterogeneity in this link, the current study explored Black-White differences in the association between history of non-fatal physical assault and risk of all-cause mortality over a 25-year period in the United States. Data came from the Americans' Changing Lives (ACL) study that followed 3617 non-institutionalized respondents for up to 25 years. History of non-fatal physical assault at baseline was the predictor. Outcome was time to death due to all-cause mortality during follow-up from baseline (1986) to follow-up (2011). Confounders included gender, age, and baseline socio-economic status (education and income), health behaviors (smoking and drinking), and health status (chronic medical conditions, self-rated health, and body mass index). Race was the moderator. Cox regressions were used for multi-variable analysis. History of non-fatal physical assault at baseline was associated with an increased risk of mortality, above and beyond baseline socioeconomic status, health behaviors, and health status. Race interacted with history of non-fatal physical assault on mortality, suggesting a stronger effect for Whites compared to Blacks. In race-specific models, history of non-fatal physical assault was associated with risk of mortality for Whites but not Blacks. The current study showed that experiencing non-fatal physical assault increases the risk of premature death above and beyond demographics, socioeconomic status, health behaviors, and health status. Experiencing non-fatal physical assault may have a larger effect on premature mortality among Whites than Blacks. Future research is needed on how Blacks and Whites differ in the health consequences of social adversities.

Family Socioeconomic Status and Exposure to Childhood Trauma: Racial Differences

“…These effects are not specific and influence mental, physical, and physiological effects [1][2][3][4][5][6]. Some examples of the undesired effects of exposure to childhood trauma include anxiety [7], PTSD [8], depression [7], suicide [1,6], substance use [9][10][11], drug use [12], and mortality [1][2][3][4][5][6]. Childhood trauma also increases the risk of respiratory, heart, and metabolic diseases [13].…”

Exposure to Adverse Life Events among Children Transitioning into Adolescence: Intersections of Socioeconomic Position and Race

“…Children who experience adverse life events during the transition to adolescence have worse developmental outcomes in adulthood. The harmful effects of adverse life experiences are non-specific and systemic, impacting a wide range of physiological pathways 2,3 and contributing to general anxiety 4 , post-traumatic stress 5 , depressive disorder 4 , suicidality 3 , substance use 6 , drug use 7 , and premature mortality 3,8 . Exposure to adverse life experiences during the transition to adolescence negatively impacts brain and neurocognitive development 9 , and increases the risk of cardiovascular and metabolic diseases 10 .…”