Examining relationships between positive and adverse childhood experiences with physical and mental health indicators in a low-income adult sample.

Background: Emerging research on positive and adverse childhood experiences (PCEs and ACEs) indicates that both may be important to adult health, but little is understood about the pathways through which childhood experiences affect adult health.

Objective: The aims of this study were to 1) examine how shame may mediate the relationship between childhood experiences and health, and 2) whether PCEs moderated the relationship between ACEs, shame, and adult health.

Participants And Setting: The sample consisted of 206 low-income adults ages 18-55 who were living in a community in the Intermountain West.

The effects of adverse and advantageous childhood experiences on adult health in a low-income sample.

Background: Previous studies have indicated the advantageous childhood experiences (counter-ACEs) may improve health in adulthood regardless of adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) scores. However, these studies have primarily been conducted in low-risk communities, and little is known whether the results are similar in low-income settings.

Objective: The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of ACEs and counter-ACEs on mental and physical health in a low-income sample.

ACEs and counter-ACEs: How positive and negative childhood experiences influence adult health.

Background: Numerous studies over the past two decades have found a link between adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) and worse adult health outcomes. Less well understood is how advantageous childhood experiences (counter-ACEs) may lead to better adult health, especially in the presence of adversity.

Objective: To examine how counter-ACEs and ACEs affect adult physical and mental health using Resiliency Theory as the theoretical framework.