Adverse childhood experiences and chronic lung diseases in adulthood: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Abstract

Background: Adverse childhood experiences (ACE) affect physical and mental health and may appear as risk factors for the development of different conditions in adult life. Objective: To perform a literature review and meta-analysis on risk indicators for the development of chronic lung diseases in adulthood associated with ACE. Method: We conducted a systematic literature review according to the PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses) guidelines using the online databases PubMed, PsycINFO, and Web of Science. Quantitative studies involving male and female adults were included. Fixed-and random-effect models were used in the estimation of meta-analytical measures. The heterogeneity between studies was assessed using I 2 statistics and Cochran's Q test. Results: A total of 19 studies were selected for the meta-analysis. The analyses showed statistically significant associations between ACE and lung diseases in general (OR = 1.41; CI 95%: 1.28-1.54), besides specific associations with asthma (OR = 1.32; CI 95%: 1.13-1.50) and COPD (OR = 1.44; CI 95%: 1.13-1.76). When the mediating effect of smoking was assessed separately we found a significantalthough not quite expressiveassociation (OR = 1.06; CI 95%: 1.02 to 1.10), which weakens the hypothesis that a direct relationship exists between childhood trauma and the occurrence of lung diseases. Conclusions: ACE are an important risk factor for the development of lung diseases in adulthood, whether through direct or indirect contribution to this outcome, which highlights the relevance of increasing the awareness of health staff for the early detection and intervention in situations of vulnerability or risk in childhood as an important preventative measure.

Associations of adverse childhood experiences with smoking initiation in adolescence and persistence in adulthood, and the role of the childhood environment: Findings from the 1958 British birth cohort

“…Factors related to the social influences with which individuals evolve and interact, play an important part in determining smoking (5). Adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) described as a set of psychological trauma, abuse, living conditions, out of the child's control, that can generate chronic stress responses in the child's immediate environment (6), have been associated with poor health outcomes across the life course, including chronic lung diseases (7) and lung cancer (8), partly through the adoption and persistence of unhealthy behaviours (9), with a strong relationship with smoking (10).…”

The Family System Amidst Complex Trauma: A Driving Force to Enhance Resilience and Reduce Depression in Young Adults

“…Regarding various cultures, when utilized with a sample of African American and Latino youth the Cronbach alpha was slightly less than .70 (Groenenberg et al, 2013). Meanwhile, when used with a sample of Mexican American adults, Cronbach alpha was .61–.78, with the cohesion subscale was stronger with a Cronbach alpha of .78 (Negy & Snyder, 2006).…”

“…The chronic nature of complex trauma is correlated to various physical and mental health issues. Physically, complex trauma reactions trigger a release of cortisol in the body which increases inflammation and has been correlated to autoimmune disorders, issues with the endocrine system, lung disease, heart disease, and liver disease (Lopes et al, 2020). Typically, physical ailments are a stressor for individuals they can worsen at unpredictable times.…”

Influence of Psychological Factors in Breast and Lung Cancer Risk – A Systematic Review

“…Physical disease has already been linked to the psychological factors of trauma, grief, and depression, and associated with higher rates of autoimmune disease, metabolic syndrome, coronary heart disease, respiratory disease, and some cancers ( Boscarino, 2004 ; Miller et al, 2011 ; Hughes et al, 2017 ; Lopes et al, 2020 ; Santini et al, 2021 ). This risk is associated to the physiological alterations in neural, neuroendocrine, immune, and cardiovascular systems ( Boscarino, 2004 ; Bomyea et al, 2012 ).…”