Psychiatric outcomes in women with adverse childhood experiences: A national level study in US

The objective of this study to examine the magnitude and independence of the effects of adverse childhood experiences (ACE) such as physical, mental and sexual abuse on adult mental health. Data were derived from the National Epidemiologic Survey on Alcohol and Related Conditions (NESARC) – wave II, a face to face nationally representative longitudinal survey of about 35,000 adults in the United States conducted during 2003-2004. Respondents provided information on ACE: having experienced emotional, physical and sexual abuse. Data was analyzed for 20,000 adult women. Logistic regression was used to model the association of ACE and psychiatric disorders in the adulthood. Odd ratios (ORs) were calculated. The results show that by self-report, 30% reported any mental, 18 % any physical and about 8% any sexual abuse. Those reporting ACE had higher rates of substance abuse, mode, anxiety and personality disorders. Most of these relationships were statistically significant. Controlling for demographic characteristics, parental psychopathology and other psychiatric disorders produced a small to modest reduction in ORs.

The study concludes that women with ACE have a substantially increased risk for developing a wide range of psychopathology.