Adverse Childhood Events as Risk Factors for Negative Mental Health Outcomes

<p>The successful resolution of developmental tasks during childhood has long been recognized as crucial to adult mental health. Specifically, theorists such as Sigmund Freud, Erik Erikson, and Jean Piaget posited that the negotiation of stages of human development facilitates psychosocial and cognitive adaptation and is vital to the emergence of creativity throughout life. Conversely, much recent research attests to the deleterious consequences of adverse childhood events on functioning throughout the lifespan.This review examines the association between adverse childhood events (which include emotional, physical, and sexual abuse; neglect; childhood household dysfunction; and other forms of childhood trauma) and the emergence of psychiatric symptomatology across the lifespan.</p><h4>ABOUT THE AUTHORS</h4><p>Daniel P. Chapman, PhD, MSc; Shanta R. Dube, PhD, MPH; and Robert F. Anda, MD, MS, are with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion, Division of Adult and Community Health, Emerging Investigation and Analytic Methods Branch, Atlanta, GA.</p><p>Address correspondence to: Daniel P. Chapman, PhD, MSc, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion, Division of Adult and Community Health, Emerging Investigation and Analytic Methods Branch, 4770 Buford Hwy N.E., Mailstop K-67, Atlanta, GA 30341; fax 770-488-5965; or email: <a href="mailto:[email protected]">[email protected]</a>.</p><p>The authors disclosed no relevant financial relationships.</p><p>The findings and conclusions in this article are those of the authors and do not necessarily represent the views of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.</p>