Hughes, K, Bellis, MA, Cresswell, K, Hill, R, Ford, K and Hopkins, JC (2024) Examining relationships between adverse childhood experiences and coping during the cost-of-living crisis using a national cross-sectional survey in Wales, UK. BMJ Open, 14 (5).

Preview

Text Examining relationships between adverse childhood experiences and coping during the cost of living crisis.pdf - Published Version Available under License Creative Commons Attribution Non-commercial. Download (445kB) | Preview

Abstract

Objectives Adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) can affect individuals’ resilience to stressors and their vulnerability to mental, physical and social harms. This study explored associations between ACEs, financial coping during the cost-of-living crisis and perceived impacts on health and well-being. Design National cross-sectional face-to-face survey. Recruitment used a random quota sample of households stratified by health region and deprivation quintile. Setting Households in Wales, UK. Participants 1880 Welsh residents aged ≥18 years. Measures Outcome variables were perceived inability to cope financially during the cost-of-living crisis; rising costs of living causing substantial distress and anxiety; and self-reported negative impact of rising costs of living on mental health, physical health, family relationships, local levels of antisocial behaviour and violence, and community support. Nine ACEs were measured retrospectively. Socioeconomic and demographic variables included low household income, economic inactivity, residential deprivation and activity limitation. Results The prevalence of all outcomes increased strongly with ACE count. Perceived inability to cope financially during the cost-of-living crisis increased from 14.0% with 0 ACEs to 51.5% with 4+ ACEs. Relationships with ACEs remained after controlling for socioeconomic and demographic factors. Those with 4+ ACEs (vs 0 ACEs) were over three times more likely to perceive they would be unable to cope financially and, correspondingly, almost three times more likely to report substantial distress and anxiety and over three times more likely to report negative impacts on mental health, physical health and family relationships. Conclusions Socioeconomically deprived populations are recognised to be disproportionately impacted by rising costs of living. Our study identifies a history of ACEs as an additional vulnerability that can affect all socioeconomic groups. Definitions of vulnerability during crises and communications with services on who is most likely to be impacted should consider childhood adversity and history of trauma.

Item Type:	Article
Uncontrolled Keywords:	Humans; Cross-Sectional Studies; Adaptation, Psychological; Anxiety; Mental Health; Adolescent; Adult; Aged; Middle Aged; Wales; Female; Male; Young Adult; Surveys and Questionnaires; Adverse Childhood Experiences; Financial Stress; Child protection; EPIDEMIOLOGIC STUDIES; MENTAL HEALTH; PUBLIC HEALTH; Percieved Social Support; Risk Factors; Humans; Wales; Cross-Sectional Studies; Male; Female; Adverse Childhood Experiences; Adult; Middle Aged; Adaptation, Psychological; Adolescent; Young Adult; Aged; Mental Health; Surveys and Questionnaires; Anxiety; Financial Stress; 1103 Clinical Sciences; 1117 Public Health and Health Services; 1199 Other Medical and Health Sciences
Subjects:	R Medicine > RA Public aspects of medicine > RA0421 Public health. Hygiene. Preventive Medicine
Divisions:	Nursing & Allied Health Psychology (from Sep 2019) Public Health Institute
Publisher:	BMJ Publishing Group
SWORD Depositor:	A Symplectic
Date Deposited:	27 Jun 2024 15:34
Last Modified:	27 Jun 2024 15:34
DOI or ID number:	10.1136/bmjopen-2023-081924
URI:	https://researchonline.ljmu.ac.uk/id/eprint/23656

View Item