Physical and Mental Health Correlates of Adverse Childhood Experiences among Low-Income Women

Abstract

The present study used secondary data gathered from a statewide random sample of 1,073 adult women enrolled in Utah's single-parent cash assistance program and logistic regression to examine associations between self-reported physical, emotional, and sexual abuse during childhood and later life physical and mental health indicators. Results demonstrated significant associations between low-income women's self-reports of physical, emotional, or sexual abuse in childhood, and current and lifetime anxiety disorder, domestic violence, current posttraumatic stress disorder, bipolar disorder, physical health or mental health issues, and any mental health diagnosis. These results build on previous research to paint a fuller picture of the associations between childhood abuse and physical and mental health for low-income women in Utah. Consistent with research by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, findings suggest the applicability of conceptualizing childhood abuse as a public health issue. Social workers can play an integral role in promoting and implementing broader screening practices, connecting affected individuals with long-term interventions, and applying research findings to the design and provision of services within a public health model.

Improving the career resilience of a survivor of sexual abuse

“…The above research is supported and correlates with various other studies which report that survivors of childhood sexual abuse are at risk of depression, feelings of guilt, decrease in selfworth, apathy, a decrease in moral judgment, substance abuse and the development of mental disorders (Singh et al, 2014;Van Rensburg & Barnard, 2005;Raabe et al, 2015). According to Cambron, Gringeri and Vogel-Ferguson (2014) There appears to be a serious need, therefore, to devise a novel strategy to help survivors of sexual abuse to deal with the accompanying trauma. Using a narrative approach towards the co-constructing of new identities and life stories (where the person is seen as the expert), career counsellors can potentially provide a useful and functional strategy in their quest for finding ways in which to promote a sense of career resilience and resilience in general among survivors of sexual abuse.…”

“…Resiliency scale subscales In a study involving 1073 adult woman and survivors of CSA, Cambron et al (2014) posit that childhood sexual abuse will not only have a detrimental long-term impact on the quality of interpersonal relationships, but also cause difficulty in forming healthy relationships. My findings above seem to confirm and extend the above results and would appear to predict a possible negative impact on Suzi"s future career resilience.…”

Adverse Childhood Experiences, Depression and Mental Health Barriers to Work among Low-Income Women

“…Previous research among low-income women has demonstrated high rates of childhood violence and abuse that have been associated with poor physical and mental health during adulthood (Cambron et al, 2014;Gringeri & Vogel-Ferguson, 2012;Harris & Vogel-Ferguson, 2007); results show a strong dose -response relationship between ACEs and anxiety disorder and PTSD. Given the increased likelihood of depression among low-income women and the decreased likelihood of obtaining employment among low-income women suffering from mental illness Jayakody & Stauffer, 2000), this study employs childhood abuse as a predictor of depression.…”

“…Recent research has highlighted an extensive history of childhood abuse among low-income women in Utah (Cambron, Gringeri, & Vogel-Ferguson, 2014;Gringeri & Vogel-Ferguson, 2012). Data collected by state agencies in conjunction with in-person interviews have provided insight into the current and historical life circumstances of women accessing public assistance in Utah.…”

“…Data collected by state agencies in conjunction with in-person interviews have provided insight into the current and historical life circumstances of women accessing public assistance in Utah. Analyses of these data have linked cumulative experiences of self-reported childhood emotional, physical, and sexual abuse to a range of physical and mental health issues across the life span including anxiety disorder, bipolar disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and domestic violence as well as generalized problems with physical and mental health (Cambron et al, 2014).…”