Author ORCID Identifier
Document Type
Article
Publication Date
12-31-2018
Publication Title
Child Abuse & Neglect
Volume
88
First Page
420
Last Page
431
Abstract
Background
Adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) are a potent risk factor. Despite these findings, studies have also recognized the importance of considering additional sources of genetic and environmental influence that cluster within families.
Objective
To properly control for latent sources of genetic and within-family environmental influences and isolate the association between ACEs and the following outcomes in adulthood: physical health, depressive symptoms, educational attainment, income attainment, alcohol problems, and antisocial behavior.
Participants and Setting
Two independent samples of twins and siblings from the United States: the Midlife Development in the United States (MIDUS) study (N = 862) and the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent to Adult Health (Add Health; N = 3112).
Methods
Sibling comparison models, which control for latent sources of genetic and within-family environmental influences, were estimated to examine whether differential exposure to ACEs was associated with the examined outcomes.
Results
Families that experienced more adversity also experienced more deleterious outcomes. However, siblings that experienced more adversity were no more likely to experience deleterious outcomes than their co-siblings. However, greater exposure to ACEs was associated with increases in depressive symptoms (Add Health). Additional models revealed that the similarity between siblings from the same family stemmed from latent sources of within-family environmental influences not captured by traditional ACEs measures.
Conclusions
Considering genetic influences and additional latent sources of within-family influences is crucial in isolating the effects of ACEs. Currently employed ACEs measures may not adequately capture the full range of impactful sources of family-level environmental influence.
Recommended Citation
Schwartz, J.A., Wright, E.M., & Valgardson, B.A. (2018. December 31). Adverse childhood experiences and deleterious outcomes in adulthood: A consideration of the simultaneous role of genetic and environmental influences in two independent samples from the United States. Child Abuse & Neglect, 88, 420-431. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chiabu.2018.12.022
Comments
This is an Accepted Manuscript of an article published by Elsevier in [Child Abuse & Neglect] on [December 31, 2018], available online: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chiabu.2018.12.022