Edinburgh Napier University

  Objective: Adverse and benevolent childhood experiences (ACEs, BCEs) impact health across the lifespan. No known study has investigated these associations across different health domains using a representative adult sample. This study examined the associations between adult physical, mental, and behavioral health with ACEs and BCEs based on two ACEs conceptualizations. Methods: A cross-sectional population-based survey was conducted in Hong Kong. Thirteen ACEs were measured and conceptualized as cumulative ACE scores and ACE patterns. Selfreports of BCEs; ten physical health problems; current mental health; posttraumatic stress; history of diagnosed mental illness; suicidal thought and suicide attempt; and engagement in three health-risk behaviors (smoking, illicit substance misuse, binge drinking) were also included. A series of regression analyses were conducted to examine the association between childhood experiences and health. Results: In a random sample of 1,070 Hong Kong adults (mean age, 41.78 years; 53.93% female; mean ACEs=1.64), 649 (60.65%) reported at least one ACE. Four ACE patterns were identified (Low ACEs, Household Instability, Household Violence, and High ACEs). Higher ACE scores associated with poorer health in a dose-response fashion. Two ACE patterns shared similar average ACE scores but differentially linked with outcomes across health domains. High BCEs negatively associated with mental and behavioral health problems.