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Childhood abuse increases risk for premature mortality in women

Childhood abuse was associated with greater risk for all-cause mortality in adulthood among women but not men, according to recent findings.

“A large literature has documented long-term adverse effects of childhood abuse on an array of adult psychiatric problems including depression, substance abuse, and posttraumatic stress disorder. However, the physical health consequences of child abuse have been less well understood, particularly the consequences for later-life mortality risk,” Edith Chen, PhD, of Northwestern University, Evanston, Illinois, and colleagues wrote.

To assess associations between childhood abuse and all-cause mortality in adulthood, researchers evaluated a national sample of 6,285 adults from the Midlife Development in the United States survey. Baseline psychosocial data were gathered in 1995 and 1996 with follow-up data through October 2015. Study participants had a mean age of 46.9 years.

Women who reported childhood emotional abuse (HR = 1.22; 95% CI, 1.01-1.49; P = .04), moderate physical abuse (HR = 1.3; 95% CI, 1.05-1.6; P = .02) or severe physical abuse (HR = 1.58; 95% CI, 1.2-2.08; P = .001) had increased risk for all-cause mortality during follow-up.

Greater risk for all-cause mortality was found among women who reported all types of childhood abuse (HR = 1.68; 95% CI, 1.24-2.3; P = .001) and some types of childhood abuse (HR = 1.24; 95% CI, 1.01-1.52; P = .04), compared with those who reported no types of abuse.

Childhood socioeconomic status, personality traits or adult depression did not account for these associations.

Further, these associations were not found among men, according to researchers.

“The Chen et al article clearly demonstrates that survivors experience maladies that go beyond these current foci, suggesting that, in addition to behavioral and mental health treatment, there should be periodic assessments of health status and health habits to help eradicate health and mortality disparities for survivors over the life course,” Idan Shalev, PhD, of Pennsylvania State University, University Park, and colleagues wrote in an accompanying editorial. “A comprehensive, multilevel approach will point to new areas of intervention that will promote the long-term global well-being of survivors and improve the probability that they can lead healthy, productive lives. [This] article is an impressive step in calling for policy makers and society at large to adopt an obligation to eradicate these life-long inequities for survivors of child maltreatment.” – by Amanda Oldt

Disclosure: The researchers report no relevant financial disclosures.