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Childhood Adversity and Perceived Distress from the COVID-19 Pandemic

Karina M Shreffler1, Christine N Joachims1, Stacy Tiemeyer1

  • 1Department of Human Development and Family Science, Oklahoma State University, 700 N. Greenwood Ave., Tulsa, OK 74106 USA.

Adversity and Resilience Science
|February 2, 2021
PubMed

Insights

Adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) are linked to increased distress during the COVID-19 pandemic. Loneliness fully explains this connection, suggesting social isolation exacerbates pandemic stress in those with a history of adversity.

Area of Science:

  • Psychology
  • Public Health
  • Sociology

Background:

  • Childhood adversity can heighten stress responses later in life.
  • The COVID-19 pandemic presented unprecedented global stressors.
  • Understanding factors influencing pandemic-related distress is crucial for public health.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the association between adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) and perceived distress during the COVID-19 pandemic.
  • To explore the mediating role of loneliness in this association.

Main Methods:

  • A volunteer clinical cohort study of 101 pregnant women was conducted.
  • Data were collected through surveys from October 2017 to April 2020.
  • Ordinary Least Squares (OLS) regression analyses examined the relationship between ACE scores and pandemic-related distress, controlling for demographics and loneliness.

Main Results:

  • ACE scores were significantly associated with higher levels of pandemic-related distress (b=.08, SE=.03, p<.01).
  • Loneliness fully mediated the association between ACE scores and distress.
  • Higher childhood adversity predicted greater distress, mediated by increased social isolation.

Conclusions:

  • Adverse childhood experiences contribute to increased distress during the COVID-19 pandemic, primarily through heightened social isolation.
  • Individuals with a history of childhood adversity may lack the social connectedness necessary to mitigate pandemic-related stress.
  • These findings highlight the long-term impact of early life adversity on psychological well-being during public health crises.

Keywords:
ACEsAdversityCOVID-19Childhood experiencesIsolationStress

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