Childhood adversity linked to later disability in Chinese adults
Over seven years, childhood adversity was linked to a higher rate of first disability—a hazard ratio of 1.26 compared with no reported adversity.
The catch: Adults' recollections of childhood adversity can misclassify exposure
Edited by Boris Djordjevic · AgingResearch.News
In an observational cohort study, researchers studied 14,563 Chinese adults aged 45 and older using data collected from 2011 to 2018. Their average age was 56.0 years; 52% were male and 48% female. Researchers obtained information on adverse childhood experiences from a 2014 life history survey.
During seven years of follow-up, 25% first experienced difficulty with at least one activity of daily living, the study’s definition of functional disability. Some 65% reported at least one adverse childhood experience. After accounting for other factors, any childhood adversity was associated with a higher rate of first disability. Having a household member with mental illness was also associated with a higher rate when researchers considered multiple childhood adversities together.
Why it matters
The authors called for further research into the life-course pathways linking childhood adversity to functional health in middle and later life.
Caveats
The observational design cannot establish cause and effect, and childhood experiences were reported through a life history survey. The findings may not extend to younger adults or populations outside China.
- Adverse childhood experiences
- Emotional abuse
- Mental illness in a household member
- Functional disability
- Difficulty in activities of daily living
- Humans
The paper
Zhejiang Institute of Socialism Hangzhou China; College of Economics and Management China Agricultural University Beijing China
Child Abuse Review, Nov 3, 2026
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