The mediating sex-specific effect of psychological distress on the relationship between adverse childhood experiences and current smoking among adults.

BACKGROUND: Research suggests that ACEs have a long-term impact on the behavioral, emotional, and cognitive development of children. These disruptions can lead to adoption of unhealthy coping behaviors throughout the lifespan. The present study sought to examine psychological distress as a potential mediator of sex-specific associations between adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) and adult smoking. METHOD: Data from 7,210 Kaiser-Permanente members in San Diego California collected between April and October 1997 were used. RESULTS: Among women, psychological distress mediated a significant portion of the association between ACEs and smoking (21% for emotional abuse, 16% for physical abuse, 15% for physical neglect, 10% for parental separation or divorce). Among men, the associations between ACEs and smoking were not significant. CONCLUSIONS: These findings suggest that for women, current smoking cessation strategies may benefit from understanding the potential role of childhood trauma.

Associations between adverse childhood experiences, psychological distress, and adult alcohol problems.

OBJECTIVE: To examine the mediating role of psychological distress on the relationship between adverse childhood experiences and adult alcohol problems by gender. METHODS: Linear and logistic regression analyses were conducted on 7279 Kaiser-Permanente members, aged >18 years. RESULTS: Psychological distress mediated significant proportions of alcohol problems associated with childhood emotional abuse and neglect, physical abuse and neglect, mental illness in the household, parental separation or divorce, sexual abuse, and household drug use among women and mental illness in the household, emotional neglect, physical abuse, household drug use, and sexual abuse among men. CONCLUSION: It may be important to identify early childhood trauma and adult psychological distress in programs that focus on reducing alcohol abuse.