How Are Adverse Childhood Experiences Related to Mental and Physical Health in Later Life
Student Number: 10343107
Word Count: 1,122
Based on the landmark study “Adverse Childhood Experience Study” (and/or other studies), discuss the empirical evidence regarding the effects of childhood abuse and neglect on adult mental and physical health.
Research has shown that certain health problems increase with the amount of ACEs (Adverse Childhood Experiences) the individual reports. Continuous stress arising from ACEs, causes neurobiological changes in the brain, resulting in impairment of the normal development of multiple brain structures and functions that are associated with a range of mental and physical health problems. In addition to this other maladaptive behaviours that arise from abuse may also contribute to behaviours that exacerbate or precipitate the health problems to be discussed (Anda et al, 2006).
Consistent stress results in dysregulation of the Hypothalamic Pituitary and Adrenal axis (HPA axis) and related systems having adverse effects on the brain. The inhibitory mechanism that allows cortisol levels return back to normal does not develop properly. Having a low stress threshold and high stress levels from a young age generates diminished resilience in overcoming stressful situations in later life. CRF (corticotrophin releasing factor) is released during the stress response and influences many of the brain systems that are related to the health issues found in ACE sufferers (Anda et al, 2006 :Chartier 2007).
Victims of ACE have been found to have an increased risk of developing anxiety disorders as CRH regulates anxiogenic and anxiolytic pathways (Anda et al, 2006 ) Dysregualtion of the HPA is linked to having low serotonin and high dopamine levels: this combination results in hyper-vigilance, and contributes to anxiety disorders. Overactive limbic system are also thought to contribute to anxiety disorders as they regulate emotions and the fear response (Hulme,2011).
Decreased levels of serotonin in prefrontal cortex are thought to
Word Count: 1,122
Based on the landmark study “Adverse Childhood Experience Study” (and/or other studies), discuss the empirical evidence regarding the effects of childhood abuse and neglect on adult mental and physical health.
Research has shown that certain health problems increase with the amount of ACEs (Adverse Childhood Experiences) the individual reports. Continuous stress arising from ACEs, causes neurobiological changes in the brain, resulting in impairment of the normal development of multiple brain structures and functions that are associated with a range of mental and physical health problems. In addition to this other maladaptive behaviours that arise from abuse may also contribute to behaviours that exacerbate or precipitate the health problems to be discussed (Anda et al, 2006).
Consistent stress results in dysregulation of the Hypothalamic Pituitary and Adrenal axis (HPA axis) and related systems having adverse effects on the brain. The inhibitory mechanism that allows cortisol levels return back to normal does not develop properly. Having a low stress threshold and high stress levels from a young age generates diminished resilience in overcoming stressful situations in later life. CRF (corticotrophin releasing factor) is released during the stress response and influences many of the brain systems that are related to the health issues found in ACE sufferers (Anda et al, 2006 :Chartier 2007).
Victims of ACE have been found to have an increased risk of developing anxiety disorders as CRH regulates anxiogenic and anxiolytic pathways (Anda et al, 2006 ) Dysregualtion of the HPA is linked to having low serotonin and high dopamine levels: this combination results in hyper-vigilance, and contributes to anxiety disorders. Overactive limbic system are also thought to contribute to anxiety disorders as they regulate emotions and the fear response (Hulme,2011).
Decreased levels of serotonin in prefrontal cortex are thought to
References: Chartier, M. J.,(2007)The relationship between childhood abuse, adult physical health and health care utilization. Dissertation Abstracts International: Section B: The Sciences and Engineering, , 240-240 de Quervain DJ, Roozendaal B, McGaugh JL ( 1998) Edwards, V. J., Anda, R. F., Felitti, V. J., & Dube, S. R. (2004). Adverse childhood experiences and health-related quality of life as an adult. (pp. 81-94). Washington, DC, US: American Psychological Association, Washington, DC Hulme, P Kendall-Tackett, K. (2003). Treating the lifetime health effects of childhood victimization. Kingston, NJ, US: Civic Research Institute, Kingston, NJ. Lee, B. K., Glass, T. A., McAtee, M. J., Wand, G. S., Bandeen-Roche, K., Bolla, K. I., & Schwartz, B. S. (2007). Associations of salivary cortisol with cognitive function in the baltimore memory study. Archives of General Psychiatry, 64(7), 810-818. Lupien, S. J., McEwen, B. S., Gunnar, M. R., & Heim, C. (2009). Effects of stress throughout the lifespan on the brain, behaviour and cognition. Nature Reviews Neuroscience, 10(6), 434-445. Perry, B. D., & Pollard, R. (1998). Homeostasis, stress, trauma, and adaptation: A neurodevelopmental view of childhood trauma. Child and Adolescent Psychiatric Clinics of North America, 7(1), 33-51. Miller, T.W. (2010). Handbook of Stressful Transitions Across the Lifespan. Springer publishing. Springer, K. W., Sheridan, J., Kuo, D., & Carnes, M. (2007). Long-term physical and mental health consequences of childhood physical abuse: Results from a large population-based sample of men and women. Child Abuse & Neglect, 31(5), 517-530. Walker, E.A., Gelfand, A., Katon, W.J., Koss,P.M., Korff, M.V., Bernstein, D., and Russo.,J (1999). Adult health status of women with histories of childhood abuse and neglect. The American Journal of Medicine (4)107, 332–339.