Childhood adversity and physical health among Asian Indian emerging adults in the United States: Exploring disease-specific vulnerabilities and the role of anger.

Abstract

Objective: The link between adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) and negative health outcomes is well established among middle-aged adults and within the general population; however, ACEs’ impact on physical health among emerging adults and specific ethnic minority groups, such as distinct Asian American subgroups, remains understudied and poorly understood. The aim of this study was to examine the relationships between ACEs, anger expression, stress, and physical health in a sample of Asian Indian (AI) emerging adults (18–29 years) living in the United States. Method: Participants (N = 132; Mage = 23.52; 13.6% first generation; 86.4% born in United States) completed an electronic questionnaire measuring variables of ACEs, anger expression, recent stress, health history, self-rated health, and recent physical illness symptoms. Chi-square, regression, and mediation analyses were conducted to examine associations among variables. Results: ACEs significantly predicted greater anger expression, perceived stress, number of chronic health conditions, and recent physical illness symptoms. Ninety-four percent of participants with ≥ 3 ACEs endorsed at least 1 previously diagnosed medical condition, and these participants exhibited remarkably high odds of diabetes and high blood pressure. Mediation analyses indicated anger expression significantly mediated ACEs’ impact on recent stress and physical illness symptoms. Conclusions: Findings evidence that ACE-related physical health consequences are, in fact, already detectable by emerging adulthood among AI Americans. The distinct ACEs patterns and pronounced ACE-related health consequences found in this population warrant further study.

Asian Indians in the United States and Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Interventions: A Narrative Literature Review

“…Further, untreated PTSD may also contribute to chronic illnesses such as cardiovascular diseases in this community (Kumar & Sinha, 2020) and subsequent high rates of mortality in this group (Sunderaraman et al, 2021). Similarly, a recent study indicated that Asian Indians who reported more adverse childhood experiences were more likely to report diabetes and high blood pressure in adulthood (Santoro et al, 2021). Again, while evidence suggests disparities in mental health treatment for PTSD and the burden of untreated PTSD among Asian Indians in the U.S., we are unaware of any nationwide epidemiological survey that has empirically addressed these research questions.…”

“…One cross-sectional study conducted in the Kashmir Valley of India indicated that ∼33% of participants reported high traumatic exposure, and ∼24% reported experiencing >14 traumatic events amidst ongoing conflict and war (Dar & Deb, 2021). A recent study on Asian Indians in the U.S. indicated that ∼30% of participants reported >3 adverse childhood experiences, and ∼50% reported ≥1 adverse childhood experiences such as emotional abuse, emotional neglect, and physical abuse (Santoro et al, 2021). Critically, the Asian Indian community has a high prevalence of intimate partner violence (IPV), interpersonal traumas, and sexual violence (Inman et al, 2014; Rechsteiner et al, 2019; Tummala-Narra & Deshpande, 2018).…”

Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Symptoms and Sleep Disturbances Among Asian Indians: A Systematic Review

“…There is substantial prevalence of traumas among immigrants from India and their descendants (reviewed in Contractor et al, 2022). For instance, a study on Asian Indians in the United States indicated that ∼30% of participants reported >3 adverse childhood experiences, and ∼50% reported ≥1 adverse childhood experiences including emotional abuse/neglect and physical abuse (Santoro et al, 2021). Such traumas increase the risk of PTSD and other related health conditions, which contributes to poorer health and functioning (Contractor et al, 2018(Contractor et al, , 2020Dolan et al, 2022;Shoib et al, 2022).…”