Are there adverse events which happen in childhood that can have a negative impact on physical and emotional health in adulthood?

April 2005

Are there adverse events which happen in childhood that can have a negative impact on physical and emotional health in adulthood?

The relationship between emotional difficulties and chronic health conditions has been well documented, especially in children (Combs-Orme, 2000). Numerous studies have discussed the link between depression and heart disease, diabetes, asthma, and allergies. However, there have been very few studies which have attempted to quantify the impact of various negative youth experiences on the physical and emotional functioning of adults (Briere & M.Runtz, 1988).

One study that did look at the measured effect of certain childhood adverse exposures (i.e. physical, sexual, and psychological abuse) and disruptive adult behaviors (i.e. substance abuse, mental illness, violence towards mother or stepmother, and criminal behavior) demonstrated a clear link between the number of adverse events and major emotional and physical disorders (Felitti et al., 1998). The results indicate that the greater the number of childhood adverse exposures participants had, the greater their likelihood of having or being at risk for smoking, severe obesity, physical inactivity, depressed mood, and suicide attempts. In addition, those participants with increased childhood exposures were more likely to display ischemic heart disease, cancer, chronic bronchitis or emphysema, history of hepatitis or jaundice, skeletal fractures, and poor self rated health. Among the racial/ethnic groups sampled in the study, African Americans and Hispanics had the highest number of adverse exposures.

Many of the parents/care takers of children within the System of Care Communities (SOCC) manifest some of the emotional and physical difficulties described in the study. Often these caregivers need support in identifying and treating their own issues while they are responding to the needs of their youth.

What can extended family members, friends and family organizations do?

• Inform caretakers about the possible relationship between their childhood experiences and their current physical, emotional and behavioral difficulties.

• Provide informational, emotional, and material (e.g. transportation, babysitting) resources to enable these caretakers to get the appropriate support they need.

What can mental health providers do?

• Offer adult family members comprehensive assessments, including physicals.

• Provide, through systems of care, “one stop shopping” for the adults as well as the youth.

• Provide referrals to appropriate community resources, and the means to get to them, if the system of care does not have the resources in-house.

References:

Combs-Orme, T. (2000). Comorbidity of mental health problems and chronic health conditions in children. Journal of Emotional and Behavioral Difficulties , 10-28 .

Briere, J. & Runtz, M. (1998). Multivariate correlates of childhood psychological and physical maltreatment among university women. Child Abuse Neglect, 12 , 331-41.

Felitti, V., Anda, R. F., Nordenberg, D., Williamson, D. F., Spitz, A. M., Edwards, V., Koss, M. P., Marks, J. S. (1998). Relationship of childhood abuse and household dysfunction to many of the leading causes of death in adults. American Journal of Preventive Medicine , 14 , 245-258.

Technical Assistance Partnership for Child and Family Mental Health

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	April 2005 Are there adverse events which happen in childhood that can have a negative impact on physical and emotional health in adulthood? The relationship between emotional difficulties and chronic health conditions has been well documented, especially in children (Combs-Orme, 2000). Numerous studies have discussed the link between depression and heart disease, diabetes, asthma, and allergies. However, there have been very few studies which have attempted to quantify the impact of various negative youth experiences on the physical and emotional functioning of adults (Briere & M.Runtz, 1988). One study that did look at the measured effect of certain childhood adverse exposures (i.e. physical, sexual, and psychological abuse) and disruptive adult behaviors (i.e. substance abuse, mental illness, violence towards mother or stepmother, and criminal behavior) demonstrated a clear link between the number of adverse events and major emotional and physical disorders (Felitti et al., 1998). The results indicate that the greater the number of childhood adverse exposures participants had, the greater their likelihood of having or being at risk for smoking, severe obesity, physical inactivity, depressed mood, and suicide attempts. In addition, those participants with increased childhood exposures were more likely to display ischemic heart disease, cancer, chronic bronchitis or emphysema, history of hepatitis or jaundice, skeletal fractures, and poor self rated health. Among the racial/ethnic groups sampled in the study, African Americans and Hispanics had the highest number of adverse exposures. Many of the parents/care takers of children within the System of Care Communities (SOCC) manifest some of the emotional and physical difficulties described in the study. Often these caregivers need support in identifying and treating their own issues while they are responding to the needs of their youth. What can extended family members, friends and family organizations do? • Inform caretakers about the possible relationship between their childhood experiences and their current physical, emotional and behavioral difficulties. • Provide informational, emotional, and material (e.g. transportation, babysitting) resources to enable these caretakers to get the appropriate support they need. What can mental health providers do? • Offer adult family members comprehensive assessments, including physicals. • Provide, through systems of care, “one stop shopping” for the adults as well as the youth. • Provide referrals to appropriate community resources, and the means to get to them, if the system of care does not have the resources in-house. References: Combs-Orme, T. (2000). Comorbidity of mental health problems and chronic health conditions in children. Journal of Emotional and Behavioral Difficulties , 10-28 . Briere, J. & Runtz, M. (1998). Multivariate correlates of childhood psychological and physical maltreatment among university women. Child Abuse Neglect, 12 , 331-41. Felitti, V., Anda, R. F., Nordenberg, D., Williamson, D. F., Spitz, A. M., Edwards, V., Koss, M. P., Marks, J. S. (1998). Relationship of childhood abuse and household dysfunction to many of the leading causes of death in adults. American Journal of Preventive Medicine , 14 , 245-258.