Kyoto, Japan -- Our childhood experiences create ripple effects across our lives and with those whom we encounter. Adverse childhood experiences, or ACEs, have been linked to depression and dementia, and even to perpetuating abuse. The intergenerational transmission of abuse is well- known to affect the children of victims, and recent evidence has also connected a high number of ACEs to an increased risk of abusing elders, indicating broad impacts on later-life relationships and violent behavior.
However, attention is also turning to positive childhood experiences -- PCEs -- which include supportive family relationships, school belonging, and community support. Previous research suggests more PCEs are associated with lower stress and depression along with better health in adulthood. However, their association with the perpetration of elder abuse and cumulative ACE exposure has not yet been explored. A team of researchers at Kyoto University resolved to investigate the association between these opposing factors.
"By distinguishing family and community-related PCEs, we aimed to capture childhood influences on elder abuse from multiple perspectives," says first author Chie Koga.
The researchers analyzed data from the Japan Covid-19 and Society Internet Survey, a large-scale study designed to assess lifestyle, health, and socioeconomic conditions in Japan. The team excluded data from individuals outside the relevant age range and those missing important information, resulting in a sample size of 13,318 participants. They then assessed positive experiences before age 18 and examined associations with elder abuse perpetration.
The results revealed that individuals with a higher number of ACEs are more likely to report no positive experiences in childhood, whether in the community or family, and are more likely to perpetrate elder abuse. Furthermore, the more community-related positive experiences they have, the less likely they are to perpetrate abuse. Among those with no ACEs, individuals with the highest level of community-related positive experiences have a lower risk of perpetrating abuse. Overall, fewer positive experiences are associated with higher risk, while a greater number is associated with lower risk.
These findings suggest that cumulative ACEs are associated with both higher elder abuse perpetration as well as fewer positive experiences, and that positive childhood experiences may reduce the risk of later violence perpetration. However, positive experiences alone are likely insufficient to break the cycle of violence. Multiple forms of positive experiences across different domains may be necessary, highlighting the importance of promoting environments where children can access diverse community resources, such as mutual support and a sense of belonging at school.
"Our study indicates that initiatives such as community kitchens and safe community spaces not only support children's current well-being, but may also contribute to long-term violence prevention," says Koga. Future research should examine what types of community design and environments can effectively prevent violence -- and its reoccurrence.
