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. A secondary objective was to assess the effects of repeated and prolonged exposure to ACEs on later health.

Participants And Setting: The sample included 206 low-income adults living in the western United States who completed a survey about their childhood experiences and adult health.

Methods: A series of logistic regression analyses were performed to examine the effects of ACEs and counter-ACEs on adult health.

Results: Irrespective of ACEs, counter-ACEs were associated with lower odds of having two or more emotional and cognitive health problems and lower odds of suicidality in the past 12 months. When accounting for counter-ACEs, ACEs were associated with higher odds of having ever smoked and suicidality in the past 12 months, though these odds were attenuated compared to the unadjusted models. In the presence of repeated or prolonged ACEs exposure, counter-ACEs were associated with lower odds of having ever smoked and emotional and cognitive health problems.

Conclusions: The findings suggest that helping children develop healthy relationships within their family, community, and school may lead to improved health in adulthood even in the presence of poverty and childhood adversity.