Science University Research Symposium (SURS)

Adverse Childhood Experiences and its Impact on Various Factors of Aging

Publication Date

Fall 11-10-2025

College

College of Sciences & Mathematics

Department

Psychological Science, Department of

SURS Faculty Advisor

Dr. Michael Oliver

Presentation Type

Metadata Only

Abstract

Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) are defined as potentially traumatic events occurring before the age of 18 that can have long-lasting effects on physical and mental health, and overall well-being. ACEs are commonly categorized into three domains: abuse, neglect, and household dysfunction. Exposure to these early-life adversities has been linked to accelerated cognitive aging, affecting domains such as memory, attention, and executive functioning later in life. Furthermore, sex differences have been observed in both the type and timing of ACE exposure, as well as in the trajectory of cognitive decline associated with primary and secondary aging processes. Using the open-source CDC Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS) dataset, the present study examines the relationship between ACEs and aging outcomes across the lifespan in a sample of 3,666 individuals. Results from a binary logistic regression indicated that the overall model was statistically significant, thus demonstrating that total ACE scores were a strong predictor of fair/poor self-reported general health. Findings from this study underscore the profound and lasting impact of childhood adversity on health and aging.

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