Profiles of adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) and psychosocial adjustment in South Korea: Comparison between probation and non-probation youth

BACKGROUND

Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) are risk factors affecting adolescent psychosocial adjustment. Youth involved in the juvenile justice system are more likely to have ACEs, but few studies have investigated this topic outside the western context.

OBJECTIVE

This study aims to (1) compare latent profiles of ACEs among probation and non-probation youth in South Korea and (2) examine which profiles pose the greatest risk of maladaptive psychosocial adjustment (offline risk-taking, online risk-taking, school adjustment, and happiness).

PARTICIPANTS AND SETTING

South Korean data adopting survey questions from the Fourth International Self-Report Delinquency Study was analyzed. Adolescents with complete information on regression covariates were included (non-probation: 1846/probation: 368).

METHODS

Latent profile analysis was utilized to identify distinctive patterns of ACEs. Multiple linear regression and logistic regression were performed to predict the maladjustment experiences of each latent subgroup.

RESULTS

Four ACE profiles emerged for probation and non-probation samples. Three profiles were common (i.e., emotional/physical abuse, emotional neglect, high maltreatment/domestic violence) and one profile was unique (high maltreatment with family dysfunction for the probation sample; moderate maltreatment for the non-probation sample). In the probation sample, compared to the emotional neglect group, the other three profiles showed poorer adjustment in at least one domain. In the non-probation sample, profiles with high emotional/physical abuse and high maltreatment/family dysfunction had poorer outcomes than the emotional neglect group.

CONCLUSIONS

These findings indicate the need for a comprehensive approach toward adolescents and their family environments for preventing delinquency and promoting positive youth adjustment.

The Association of Childhood Maltreatment with Adulthood Mental Disorders and Suicidality in Korea: a Nationwide Community Study

BACKGROUND

Although childhood maltreatment is a known risk factor for adulthood mental health, the impact of different types of childhood maltreatment on mental disorders is not yet clear. This study explored the association of each type of childhood maltreatment with adulthood mental disorders and suicidality in South Korea.

METHODS

A total of 5,102 individuals from the general populations over the age of 18 responded to the Korean version of the Composite International Diagnostic Interview and questions about childhood maltreatment (emotional neglect, psychological abuse, physical abuse, and sexual abuse). To evaluate the odds ratio for mental disorders and suicidality associated with each type of childhood maltreatment, we used logistic regression analysis.

RESULTS

About 17.0% of the respondents reported having experienced a type of maltreatment in childhood. According to the type, 9.4% reported physical abuse, 9.3% reported emotional neglect, 7.9% reported psychological abuse, and 3.8% reported sexual abuse. Exposure to each type of childhood maltreatment was associated with most types of mental disorders after adjusting for sociodemographic factors. Each type of childhood maltreatment victim was associated with suicidality (suicidal ideations, suicide plans, and suicide attempts). Dose-response patterns for suicide attempts were observed in all types of victims. Moreover, the respondents who experienced frequent childhood emotional neglect were 14 times more likely to have attempted suicide.

CONCLUSION

Childhood maltreatment was associated with mental health in adulthood. The findings show the need for early detection and intervention of victims of childhood maltreatment to minimize its negative impact on adult mental health.

Associations Between Adverse Childhood Experiences and Adult Health Outcomes: Exploring Gender Differences

Objectives: This study aimed to (1) understand the associations between Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) and poor adult health outcomes, specifically looking at both physical and mental health indicators, and (2) examine gender differences in ACEs’ impact on adult health outcomes.Methods: Data were obtained from the 2012 Korean General Social Survey. The study sample comprised 1,396 individuals aged ≥ 18 years who answered the ACE questionnaire. Controlling for sociodemographic factors, linear regression models were run to estimate the relationships between ACEs and adult physical (self-rated poor physical health status) and mental health indicators (depressive symptoms). Furthermore, the Chow test was carried out to ascertain whether there were any gender differences in ACEs’ impact on both adult physical and mental health outcomes.Results: Higher numbers of ACEs were significantly and positively associated with worse adult physical and mental health outcomes, such as poorer physical health status and higher levels of depressive symptoms compared with individuals who reported no adversities during childhood. In addition, gender differences were identified in ACEs’ impact on both health indicators, suggesting that females were at a higher risk of depression, while males were more likely to experience poor physical health.Conclusion: Adults reporting multiple adversities during childhood are more likely to experience poorer physical and mental health, demonstrating a strong, graded dose-response relationship between the number of ACEs and a range of negative adult health outcomes. Gender differences also exist in ACEs’ impact on adult physical and mental health, thus suggesting the need for gender-based intervention strategies to address ACEs in the adult population.