The impact lasts a lifetime.
A new study has found that childhood experiences of deprivation, neglect, and abuse can elevate the long-term risk of various health issues. According to Dr. George Slavich, the senior researcher and director of the UCLA Laboratory for Stress Assessment and Research, stress plays a role in nine of the top ten causes of death in the United States. Slavich emphasized the need for nationwide screening for stress in pediatric and adult healthcare settings, stating, “We need to start taking this statistic seriously.”
The study, published in the journal Brain, Behavior and Immunity, analyzed data from over 2,100 individuals as part of a long-term study funded by the National Institute on Aging. Researchers focused on the participants’ reported childhood traumas, which included financial hardship, abuse, neglect, frequent relocations, separation from parents, and reliance on welfare.
In addition to self-reported childhood experiences, the participants provided biological samples, enabling the researchers to measure 25 disease-related biomarkers. They also shared information on whether they had been diagnosed with any of 20 major health conditions.
The results revealed a direct correlation between the amount of childhood stress and an increased risk of health problems for both men and women. However, the impact of stress varied between the sexes. For example, women appeared to be more affected in terms of metabolism, while men experienced more pronounced effects related to emotional abuse and neglect. Specifically, men were more likely to develop issues like blood disorders, mental health conditions, and thyroid problems.
These findings point to the importance of incorporating stress history into medical records to better predict future health risks. As Slavich explained, many individuals who have undergone significant stress or early-life trauma are never assessed for it. “This research highlights the urgent need for stress screening in clinical settings,” Slavich said. He added that the findings suggest a move toward more personalized healthcare, taking into account factors like a patient’s gender and specific stress history.
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