AI Article Synopsis
- Adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) in school settings have a significant impact on adult mental health and can contribute to conditions like Hikikomori, which is severe social withdrawal.
- A study involving 4,000 Japanese adults found that both family ACEs and school ACEs are linked to increased symptoms of depression and anxiety, but school-related factors showed a stronger correlation.
- Specifically, for each point increase in school ACE scores, the risk of Hikikomori increased by 29%, highlighting the importance of addressing school ACEs for improved social adaptation and mental health outcomes.
Article Abstract
Background: Adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) have been found to negatively impact adult mental health outcomes. Numerous studies have highlighted on ACEs in family and community settings. However, few have examined the impact of ACEs in school settings, despite the potential influence on social participation. Hikikomori, characterized by severe social withdrawal, was first studied in Japan and has gained recognition in recent years. The present study aims to present the concept of ACEs specific to schools and investigate the impact of both school ACEs and traditional ACEs on adult mental health and Hikikomori.
Methods: A total of 4,000 Japanese adults, aged 20-34, were recruited through an Internet survey form. All data were obtained in October 2021. Participants answered questions regarding their ACEs in the family (10 items), school ACEs (five teacher-related items and two bullying-related items), depressive/anxiety symptoms, and Hikikomori (remaining at home for more than 6 months).
Results: A significant association with depressive/anxiety symptoms was shown in both ACEs and school ACEs. An increase of one point in the ACE scores was associated with a 24% increase in the risk of depressive/anxiety symptoms. School ACE scores also demonstrated a significant association with depressive/anxiety symptoms, with an increase of one point associated with a 44% increase in the risk of these symptoms. As for Hikikomori, a significant association was shown in the school ACEs only: a 29% increased risk of Hikikomori for every one-point increase in school ACE scores. Both school ACE scores for teacher-related and bullying-related factors revealed a significant association with Hikikomori; the rates of increased risk were 23 and 37%, respectively.
Conclusion: These results suggest that school ACEs, rather than ACEs in the family, are associated with the risk of Hikikomori. School ACEs are important for social adaptation, and reducing traumatic experiences in school settings may have the potential to prevent problems in later life, specifically in terms of social participation.
Download full-text PDF |
Source |
|---|---|
| http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC10639139 | PMC |
| http://dx.doi.org/10.3389/fpubh.2023.1277766 | DOI Listing |
Publication Analysis
Top Keywords
Similar Publications
The long reach of adversity: Intermediary pathways from maternal adverse childhood experiences to child socio-emotional and cognitive outcomes.
J Child Psychol Psychiatry
January 2025
Department of Applied Psychology and Human Development, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
Background: This longitudinal study with multi-informant (maternal, paternal, and experimenter) and multimethod (questionnaires, behavioral observations, and standardized assessments) data tests an intergenerational model from mothers' adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) to their children's socio-emotional and cognitive outcomes.
Methods: Participants were 501 children (50.7% male) and caregivers (56.
The impact of adverse childhood experiences on postpartum post-traumatic stress disorder in women: A prospective cohort study in China.
Child Abuse Negl
January 2025
School of Nursing, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China; Women and Children Medical Research Center, Department of Nursing, Foshan Women and Children Hospital, Foshan, Guangdong, China. Electronic address:
Background: Women are more prone to experience adverse childhood experiences (ACEs), placing them at higher risk of postpartum mental health disorders. However, research on ACEs, particularly their association with postpartum Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) in non-Western contexts, is limited.
Objective: To utilize a cumulative risk approach and latent class analysis (LCA) to operationalize ACEs among postpartum women in China and examine their association with postpartum PTSD.
Timing of adverse childhood experiences and depressive, anxiety, comorbid symptoms among Chinese female nurses: A life course perspective.
Child Abuse Negl
January 2025
Center for Clinical Big Data and Statistics of the Second Affiliated Hospital Zhejiang University School of Medicine, School of Public Health Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou China. Electronic address:
Background: Nurses demonstrate a greater vulnerability to developing depressive and anxiety symptoms compared to the general population. Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) are known risk factors for mental health issues, but impact of timing of these experiences remains unclear.
Objective: To investigate associations between timing of ACEs and depressive, anxiety, comorbid symptoms.
Associations between specific and cumulative adverse childhood experiences, childhood obesity, and obesogenic behaviours.
Eur J Psychotraumatol
December 2025
Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand.
: Individuals impacted by adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) are at greater risk of developing obesity, however, few studies have prospectively measured ACEs and obesity during childhood. Associations with the adoption of obesogenic behaviours during childhood, which directly contribute to obesity are also understudied.: To examine associations between individual and cumulative ACEs, obesity, and obesogenic behaviours during childhood.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFSex-specific association between maternal childhood adversities and offspring's weight gain in a Brazilian cohort.
Sci Rep
January 2025
Laboratory of Integrative Neuroscience (LiNC), Universidade Federal de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil.
Maternal adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) are linked to negative health and developmental outcomes in offspring. However, whether maternal ACEs influence infant weight gain in the first months of life, and if this effect differs by infant sex, remains unclear. This study included 352 full-term newborns from low-risk pregnancies and their mothers in low-income settings in Brazil.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFWant AI Summaries of new PubMed Abstracts delivered to your In-box?
Enter search terms and have AI summaries delivered each week - change queries or unsubscribe any time!