A child who has a psychological adversity or a mental disorder that starts during childhood has a higher chance of developing a long-term (chronic) physical condition later on, researchers from the University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand reported in Archives of General Psychiatry.
The authors explain that child abuse has been linked to a higher chance of adverse physical health outcomes. However, they add that prior studies failed to control for factors that could impact on findings.
They wrote:
“In prior research that has considered the influence of the early psychosocial environment on later physical health, mental disorders have generally been out of the frame of consideration, which may be an important oversight. The span of time during which mental-physical sequential associations may be developing has important implications for the understanding of mechanisms and the planning of interventions.”
Kate M. Scott, Ph.D. and team gathered data from ten nations that took part in the WHO (World Health Organization) Mental Health Surveys initiative. Trained lay interviewers conducted the cross-sectional community surveys. Those who met criteria for a mental disorder in the first part of the survey, plus a probability sample of other participants, also completed the second part. Part 2 included assessment of chronic physical conditions and childhood adversities.
The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fourth Edition was used to assess mental disorders – in this research the investigators used depression and anxiety disorders.
Childhood adversities included, family violence, parental criminal behavior, substance abuse by a parent, divorce, and family economic adversity. To assess chronic physical conditions, they used a checklist they had adapted from the US Health Interview Schedule.
Each of the mental disorders that started during childhood was linked to one of three chronic pain conditions that started during adulthood – frequent or severe headache, chronic spinal pain, or osteoarthritis.
Physical abuse during childhood was linked with each of the chronic disease outcomes, the researchers included – chronic spinal pain, headache, diabetes mellitus, osteoarthritis, asthma and heart disease.
Even after taking account childhood adversity, mental disorders that started during childhood were still linked to an adult-onset chronic physical condition.
The authors also found a correlation between the number of childhood adversities and the likelihood of adult-onset chronic physical conditions.
The authors concluded:
“These results are consistent with the hypothesis that childhood adversities and early-onset mental disorders have independent, broad-spectrum effects that increase the risk of diverse chronic physical conditions in later life.”
Written by Christian Nordqvist