AP22938

Science Summary Childhood Adversity

Research from The National Child Development Study of 1958, determined that men and women who suffered from adversity during childhood had a high premature death rate. The French National Institute along with UCL compared death rates of more than 15,000 people to their experiences. These experiences happened up to the age of 16 and were compared to those who had not suffered any adversity during childhood. After taking into account the factors of education and social class it was determined that the association between the two still remained. Women had the higher likelihood of dying by age 50. Women who only suffered one experience averaged 66 per cent while those who had two or more experiences jumped up to 80 per cent. Men on the other hand were at 57 per cent if they had suffered from two or more events. Researchers noted the cause of early adulthood death can be associated to mental stress which they also suggest can cause imbalance in hormones and immune system. This imbalance can impact children physical development and health later in life. Though researchers suspected this, the evidence from such a large cohort allowed them to link the risk of premature death to adversity in childhood. Professor Mel Bartley says “This work on early psychological trauma and premature death adds a whole new dimension to public health.” Our textbook states “Preventing abuse begins with education: (Boyd, 161), I believe all parents should be educated on the effects of abuse and Professor Bartley believes it could be done with the assistance of our public health department. If studies of this nature continue to be updated and researched they could be included in new versions of our textbook listing premature death as a consequence of abuse.

References:

Boyd, Denise Roberts, and Helen L. Bee. //Lifespan Development//. Sixth ed Boston: Pearson Allyn & Bacon, 2012. Print

University College London. "Childhood adversity linked to higher risk of early death." ScienceDaily. ScienceDaily, 4 September 2013.

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