Impact of dimensions of early adversity on adult health and functioning: A 2-decade, longitudinal study

Abstract

Recent neurodevelopmental and evolutionary theories offer strong theoretical rationales and some empirical evidence to support the importance of specific dimensions of early adversity. However, studies have often been limited by omission of other adversity dimensions, singular outcomes, and short follow up durations. 1,420 participants in the community, Great Smoky Mountains Study, were assessed up to eight times between age 9 and 16 for four dimensions of early adversity: Threat, Material Deprivation, Unpredictability, and Loss (as well as a Cumulative Adversity measure). Participants were followed up to four times in adulthood (ages 19, 21, 25, and 30) to measure psychiatric disorders, substance disorder, and “real-world” functioning. Every childhood adversity dimension was associated with multiple adult psychiatric, substance, or functional outcomes when tested simultaneously in a multivariable analysis that accounted for other childhood adversities. There was evidence of differential impact of dimensions of adversity exposure on proximal outcomes (e.g., material deprivation and IQ) and even on distal outcomes (e.g., threat and emotional functioning). There were similar levels of prediction between the best set of individual adversity scales and a single cumulative adversity measure when considering distal outcomes. All dimensions of childhood adversity have lasting, pleiotropic effects, on adult health and functioning, but these dimensions may act via distinct proximal pathways.

Flourishing despite Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD): Findings from a Nationally Representative Survey of Canadians Aged 50 and Older

“…A history of ACEs also have a negative impact on mental health outcomes and have been previously identified as a barrier to being in CMH [ 65 ]. The effects of ACEs include higher prevalence of anxiety, violent behaviour, post-traumatic stress disorder, and substance use disorders in adulthood [ 66 , 67 ]. ACEs may impede the development of positive coping strategies and emotional regulation, and exacerbate maladaptive attachment styles in adulthood, ultimately compromising mental health [ 68 ].…”

Trajectories of parental harshness and exposure to community violence differentially predict externalizing and internalizing mental health problems in legal system-involved youth

“…However, this binary approach does not account for any features of the experience (e.g., frequency, change over time; see Lacey & Minnis, 2020 for a review). Second, some researchers measure cumulative frequency of exposure to stressful life experiences and collapse across experiences (Huesmann et al, 2021;McGinnis et al, 2022;Schafer et al, 2011). Cumulative life stressor metrics provide more detailed assessment in that they reflect the number of exposures.…”

Contribution of early‐life unpredictability to neuropsychiatric symptom patterns in adulthood

“…Furthermore, higher unpredictability of maternal mood during the prenatal period predicts lower cognitive development, lower expressive language, higher levels of child negative affectivity, and higher self‐reported anxiety and depressive symptoms across childhood and early adolescence (Glynn et al, 2018; Howland et al, 2020). Self‐reported exposure to unpredictability in social, emotional, and physical domains during childhood and adolescence predicts lower emotional control, as well as greater symptoms of anxiety, depression, and anhedonia in adolescents and adults (Glynn et al, 2019; McGinnis et al, 2022; Szepsenwol et al, 2021). Exposure to early‐life unpredictability is also associated with an increased risk of later substance use, conduct problems, risk‐taking behavior, and poor relationship quality (Doom et al, 2016; McGinnis et al, 2022; Simpson et al, 2012; Szepsenwol et al, 2021).…”

“…Self‐reported exposure to unpredictability in social, emotional, and physical domains during childhood and adolescence predicts lower emotional control, as well as greater symptoms of anxiety, depression, and anhedonia in adolescents and adults (Glynn et al, 2019; McGinnis et al, 2022; Szepsenwol et al, 2021). Exposure to early‐life unpredictability is also associated with an increased risk of later substance use, conduct problems, risk‐taking behavior, and poor relationship quality (Doom et al, 2016; McGinnis et al, 2022; Simpson et al, 2012; Szepsenwol et al, 2021). Taken together, unpredictability across domains and age of exposure are associated with important cognitive, biological, affective, and social outcomes across the lifespan.…”

“…Importantly, many of these findings were in cohorts with relatively low trauma exposure, suggesting potential unique effects of early‐life unpredictability in childhood. Contributions of early‐life unpredictability on emotional and cognitive functions have now been replicated across laboratories and human cohorts internationally, suggesting that unpredictable signals from caregivers and the environment may tap into a fundamental developmental factor that shapes neural development and risk for psychopathology in adulthood (Davis et al, 2019; Doom et al, 2016; Glynn & Baram, 2019; Glynn et al, 2019; Granger et al, 2021; McGinnis et al, 2022; Risbrough et al, 2018). To date, most studies have used samples that were not selected for psychiatric risk or current symptoms.…”