Child Abuse & Neglect · Apr 9, 2025

Research on the impact and pathways of childhood trauma on the health status of middle-aged and elderly people

By Dong H, Wu H, Wang Y et al.

BACKGROUND: Childhood trauma can shape one's life trajectories, with implications in later years. While some studies have investigated the effects of childhood trauma on the health of older adults, these researches remain limited on the pathways through which childhood trauma affects their health status. OBJECTIVE: To explore the impact and pathways of childhood trauma on the health status of middle-aged and elderly people, providing empirical evidence for enhancing health levels. METHODS: The data from the 2014 life course survey and 2018 cross-sectional survey of the China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study were analyzed, focusing on individuals aged 45 and above. Using 15,812 observed samples and employing multiple mediation models, this study analyzed the impacts and pathways of childhood trauma on the health status of middle-aged and elderly people. RESULTS: Controlling for age, marital status, household registration, and activities of daily living (ADL), the total effect of childhood physical trauma on self-rated health was -0.059 (P < 0.001), with a direct effect of -0.057 (P < 0.001) and an indirect effect of 0.002. Physical trauma had indirect impacts through education level, behavioral lifestyle, and utilization of medical health services. The total effect of childhood emotional trauma on self-rated health was -0.048 (P < 0.001), with a direct effect of -0.050 (P < 0.001) and an indirect effect of 0.002. Emotional trauma had an indirect impact on educational level and social participation. CONCLUSIONS: Childhood physical and emotional traumas have a sustained negative effect on self-rated health of middle-aged and elderly people, but the degree of influence and pathways are different. Therefore, it is necessary to provide effective support measures for children who have experienced childhood trauma throughout their entire lifecycle.

doi.org/10.1016/j.chiabu.2025.107441Open access, accepted manuscriptPubMed 40209448Populations