Adverse childhood experiences and cognitive function in later life
The sequential mediating roles of education level and adult loneliness
Bibliographic Data
| ID | 22078313 |
|---|---|
| Authors | Xiaojuan Deng (0009-0008-5304-0061, Sichuan University), Min Xie (0009-0009-9955-8509, Sichuan University), Yu Wang (0009-0005-4222-2626, Sichuan University), Jia Cai (0009-0008-5366-0068, Sichuan University), Min Zou (0000-0001-7076-635X, Sichuan University, corresponding author), Qiang Wang (0000-0003-3091-5503, Sichuan University) |
| Year | 2024 |
| Volume | 12 |
| Pages | 1409966-1409966 |
| Publication date | 2024-07-16 |
| Peer Reviewed | Yes |
| Open Access | Yes |
| Type | ARTICLE |
| Venue | Frontiers in Public Health (JOURNAL) |
| Journal identifiers | ISSN: 2296-2565 • E-ISSN: 2296-2565 |
| Publisher | Frontiers Media SA (PUBLISHER • CH) |
| DOI | 10.3389/fpubh.2024.1409966 |
| PMID | 39081358 |
| OpenAlex | W4400682734 |
| Language | EN |
| Citations received | 2 |
| References cited | 52 |
Background This study assesses the impact of adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) on the cognitive function of older adults. Furthermore, it examines the potential underlying mechanism involving education level and the subjective “feeling of loneliness” (FOL). Methods Analyzing a population-based cohort sample from the China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study database, 8,365 subjects aged 45 or older were interviewed in 2018. Ten ACEs indicators were measured using life history questionnaires assessed at 2014. FOL was assessed using a single item from 10-item Center for Epidemiological Studies Depression Scale (CESD-10). Cognitive function was assessed using a structured questionnaire comprising four dimensions: memory, orientation, computation, and visuospatial abilities. Results In the fully adjusted model, which accounted for age, gender, marital status, smoke, drink, rural residence, and education levels of both mothers and fathers, the linear regression analysis indicated that ACEs were inversely associated the lower education level (B = −0.058, 95% CI = −0.090, −0.026, p < 0.001), and ACEs were found to be linked to an elevated risk of FOL (B = 0.072, 95% CI = 0.056, 0.089, p < 0.001). In addition, ACEs was not significantly associated with cognitive function (B = −0.047, 95% CI = −0.108, 0.015, p = 0.136), but FOL was significantly associated with cognitive function (B = −0.483, 95% CI = −0.561, −0.404, p < 0.001). Mediation analysis revealed that education level and FOL sequentially and partially mediated the association between ACEs and the total cognitive score, with a proportion mediated of 52.58%. Limitations The evaluation of ACEs exposure was based on binary response options. This method limited our ability to explore various dimensions of adversity, such as ages of occurrence, severity, frequency, duration, and the extent of psychological effects at the time. Furthermore, the assessment of loneliness relied on a single item from the CESD-10, introducing a potential source of measurement error. Conclusion Our study unveils a substantial association between ACEs and education level, as well as with FOL and cognitive function in the older adults. Moreover, education level and FOL serve as sequential mediating factors in the relationship between ACEs and cognitive function
Adverse Childhood Experiences · Cognition · Developmental psychology · Loneliness · Mental health · Psychiatry · Aging and Gerontology Research · Elder Abuse and Neglect · Health disparities and outcomes · Medicine · Psychology · Gerontology
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| Unique citing works | 2 |
|---|---|
| Citations per year | 2 |
| Citation span | 2025 - 2026 (2) |
| Citation velocity | current |
| Highly cited | No |
| Citation types | Neutral: 2 |