The Influence of Adverse Childhood Experiences on Health-Related Quality of Life

Abstract

Background: Stressful and traumatic adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) are linked to poor physical and mental well-being in the future. Objectives: The present study aimed to investigate the correlation between Adverse Childhood Experiences and Health related quality of Life in Young adults across various states in India. Furthermore, the study intended to look into gender disparities in these variables. Methods: This study looked at survey data from 100 people, 50 males and 50 females. The Adverse Childhood Experiences Questionnaire (ACE) created by Felitti et al. (1998) was used to evaluate Adverse Childhood Experiences, and the Short Form Health Survey (Rand, SF-36) developed at RAND as part of the Medical Outcomes Study was used to measure Health Related Quality of Life. Pearson’s correlation technique and the t-test were used to evaluate the data. Results: Results of independent samples t-test showed gender differences in domains of Health-Related Quality of Life – males scored significantly higher than females. There were no gender disparities in ACE. Pain and general health are negatively correlated with ACE in females at a 0.01 significance level, whereas physical functioning and emotional well-being are negatively correlated with ACE at a 0.05 significance level in males. Conclusion: The findings of this research give useful suggestions for understanding the negative effects of ACEs and its impact on health of an individual which can be reduced with early intervention and prevention.