Effects of Adverse Childhood Experiences on smoking, drinking, physical illnesses, and suicide attempt in Japanese population

Abstract

Worldwide, many people have experienced adversity during childhood, including abuse, neglect, and household dysfunction. Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) negatively impact adulthood health. As a result, ACEs have caused enormous economic losses. However, the effects of ACEs on health have not been studied in Japanese general population. This study examined the effects of ACEs on factors leading to early death, including drinking, physical illnesses such as Type 2 diabetes and cancer, and suicide attempt. An Internet-based questionnaire survey was conducted with Japanese adults (N=988, 488 men and 500 women, Mean age, 39.12 years, age range 20 to 75 years). The results indicated that people who had experienced four or more ACE categories compared to those who had not experienced ACEs were more likely to have a history of smoking, physical illnesses, and suicide attempt. However, all effects of ACEs on drinking were not significant. These results suggest that ACEs have adverse effects on the health of Japanese people of all ages.