The role of adverse childhood experiences and mental health care use in psychological dysfunction of male multi-problem young adults

Abstract

Adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) are associated with severe problems later in life. This study examines how eleven types of ACEs and mental health care use history are related to current psychological dysfunction among multi-problem young adults. A sample of 643 multi-problem young adult men (age 18–27) gave informed consent for us to collect retrospective regional psychiatric case register data and filled out questionnaires. ACEs were highly prevalent (mean 3.6, SD 2.0). Logistic regression analysis showed that compared with participants who experienced other ACEs, participants who experienced psychological problems in their family and grew up in a single-parent family were more likely to have used mental health care, and physically abused participants were less likely to have used mental health care. Linear regression analyses showed a dose–response relationship between ACEs and internalizing and externalizing problems. Linear regression analyses on the single ACE items showed that emotional abuse and emotional neglect were positively related to internalizing problems. Emotional and physical abuse and police contact of family members were positively related to externalizing problems. While multi-problem young adults experienced many ACEs, only a few ACEs were related to mental health care use in childhood and adolescence. Long-term negative effects of ACEs on psychological functioning were demonstrated; specifically, emotional abuse and emotional neglect showed detrimental consequences. Since emotional abuse and emotional neglect are not easily identified and often chronic, child health professionals should be sensitive to such problems.

Exposure to Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) and Stress among the Community-based Urban Pediatric Population in Korea

“… 40 The emotional abuse is associated with the highest predictor of attempted suicide and depressive disorders. 44 45 In Korea, the suicide rate and proportion of adolescents who attempt suicide have gradually increased. Emotional abuse was shown to be related to internalizing problems, 45 and the factors of emotional abuse need more attention in future practical research.…”

A Systematic Review of Household and Family Alcohol Use and Childhood Neurodevelopmental Outcomes in Low- and Middle-Income Countries

“…In China, in an unadjusted analysis, higher rates of suicide attempts were found amongst older children and adolescents (aged [11][12][13][14][15][16][17][18][19] in families where a family member had a problem with alcohol abuse (4.4% vs 2.4%, p < 0.001) [73]. In a separate analysis, the authors modelled social problems of family members (which included gambling, alcohol abuse, and violation of law) and found these to be associated with a higher risk of self-reported suicide attempts in a model controlling for family demographics (Adjusted OR 1.27, 95% CI 1.17-1.38, p < 0.001) and when also controlling for family lifestyle factors (OR1.25, 95% CI 1.15-1.35, p < 0.001).…”

Criminal History and Adverse Childhood Experiences in Relation to Recidivism and Social Functioning in Multi-problem Young Adults

“…Not surprisingly, both elaborate criminal history and ACEs are highly prevalent in multi-problem youth (Van Duin et al, 2017, 2019). These vulnerable youth experience more difficulties to succeed in community integration in young adulthood than other youth, regarding participating in employment, attending education, generating a stable income (Metzler et al, 2017; Scales et al, 2016; Van der Geest et al, 2016; Van Hazebroek et al, 2019), or finding independent housing (Osgood et al, 2010).…”

“…Such failure complicates their development in becoming self-sufficient and well-functioning adults (Collins, 2001; Osgood et al, 2005, 2010; Scales et al, 2016), and negatively relates to their perceived QoL (Nevarez-Flores et al, 2019). In turn, this may increase their likelihood of future criminal behavior and convictions (Van Duin et al, 2017, 2019). In addition, multi-problem youth and young adults often experience psychological problems (Van Duin et al, 2017, 2019), which may have a negative effect on their experienced QoL in young adulthood and subsequently also increase the likelihood of future criminality and unemployment (Davis et al, 2015; Van Damme et al, 2016).…”

“…In turn, this may increase their likelihood of future criminal behavior and convictions (Van Duin et al, 2017, 2019). In addition, multi-problem youth and young adults often experience psychological problems (Van Duin et al, 2017, 2019), which may have a negative effect on their experienced QoL in young adulthood and subsequently also increase the likelihood of future criminality and unemployment (Davis et al, 2015; Van Damme et al, 2016).…”