Associations of multiple adverse childhood experiences, attachment insecurity and loneliness with physical and mental health difficulties in a representative Slovak sample
Objectives: This study aimed to examine the occurrence of adverse childhood experiences (ACE) in the adult Slovak population and to examine the relationships between mental and physical health, ACE, attachment anxiety and avoidance, and loneliness. Sample and settings: A cross-sectional study with a...
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Elsevier
2025-02-01
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| Series: | Preventive Medicine Reports |
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| Online Access: | http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S221133552500021X |
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| author | Natalia Kascakova Jana Furstova Jozef Hasto Peter Tavel |
| author_facet | Natalia Kascakova Jana Furstova Jozef Hasto Peter Tavel |
| author_sort | Natalia Kascakova |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Objectives: This study aimed to examine the occurrence of adverse childhood experiences (ACE) in the adult Slovak population and to examine the relationships between mental and physical health, ACE, attachment anxiety and avoidance, and loneliness. Sample and settings: A cross-sectional study with a representative Slovak sample (n = 1018, mean age 46.24 years, 48.7 % men) collected in April 2019 data on ACE (Adverse Childhood Experiences International Questionnaire; ACE-IQ), attachment (Experiences in Close Relationships Revised; ECR-R-14), mental and physical health (SF-8 Health Survey; questions on long-term health difficulties) and loneliness single-item question. Nested linear regression models were employed to analyzed the associations. Results: Over 75 % of respondents reported at least one ACE, and nearly a third reported four or more. Community violence (43.6 %), violent treating of a household member (38.1 %), emotional abuse (34.4 %) and emotional neglect (30.9 %) were the most common ACE. The average number of ACE was 2.7 (± 2.6). Multiple ACE were associated with attachment insecurity and loneliness. ACE were found to be significantly associated with both physical and mental health. Attachment anxiety and avoidance were linked to mental health, but only attachment anxiety remained significant when loneliness was included. Loneliness was associated with mental and physical health difficulties. Conclusion: ACE and loneliness are associated with physical health difficulties. ACE, attachment anxiety and loneliness are linked to mental health difficulties. Preventing child maltreatment and addressing loneliness are key to mitigating the long-term health effects of ACE. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-4ffdb295174547cab17ea5b6b7094f07 |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 2211-3355 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-02-01 |
| publisher | Elsevier |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Preventive Medicine Reports |
| spelling | doaj-art-4ffdb295174547cab17ea5b6b7094f072025-02-08T05:00:19ZengElsevierPreventive Medicine Reports2211-33552025-02-0150102982Associations of multiple adverse childhood experiences, attachment insecurity and loneliness with physical and mental health difficulties in a representative Slovak sampleNatalia Kascakova0Jana Furstova1Jozef Hasto2Peter Tavel3Olomouc University Social Health Institute (OUSHI), Palacky University Olomouc, Univerzitní 22, 771 11 Olomouc, Czech Republic; Psychiatric-Psychotherapeutic Outpatient Clinic, Pro mente sana, Heydukova 27, 811 08 Bratislava, Slovakia; Corresponding author at: Pro mente sana, Heydukova 27, 81108 Bratislava, Slovakia.Olomouc University Social Health Institute (OUSHI), Palacky University Olomouc, Univerzitní 22, 771 11 Olomouc, Czech RepublicOlomouc University Social Health Institute (OUSHI), Palacky University Olomouc, Univerzitní 22, 771 11 Olomouc, Czech Republic; St. Elizabeth College of Health and Social Work, Palackého 1, 811 02 Bratislava, SlovakiaOlomouc University Social Health Institute (OUSHI), Palacky University Olomouc, Univerzitní 22, 771 11 Olomouc, Czech RepublicObjectives: This study aimed to examine the occurrence of adverse childhood experiences (ACE) in the adult Slovak population and to examine the relationships between mental and physical health, ACE, attachment anxiety and avoidance, and loneliness. Sample and settings: A cross-sectional study with a representative Slovak sample (n = 1018, mean age 46.24 years, 48.7 % men) collected in April 2019 data on ACE (Adverse Childhood Experiences International Questionnaire; ACE-IQ), attachment (Experiences in Close Relationships Revised; ECR-R-14), mental and physical health (SF-8 Health Survey; questions on long-term health difficulties) and loneliness single-item question. Nested linear regression models were employed to analyzed the associations. Results: Over 75 % of respondents reported at least one ACE, and nearly a third reported four or more. Community violence (43.6 %), violent treating of a household member (38.1 %), emotional abuse (34.4 %) and emotional neglect (30.9 %) were the most common ACE. The average number of ACE was 2.7 (± 2.6). Multiple ACE were associated with attachment insecurity and loneliness. ACE were found to be significantly associated with both physical and mental health. Attachment anxiety and avoidance were linked to mental health, but only attachment anxiety remained significant when loneliness was included. Loneliness was associated with mental and physical health difficulties. Conclusion: ACE and loneliness are associated with physical health difficulties. ACE, attachment anxiety and loneliness are linked to mental health difficulties. Preventing child maltreatment and addressing loneliness are key to mitigating the long-term health effects of ACE.http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S221133552500021XRepresentative sampleSlovakiaACE-IQMental health difficultiesPhysical health difficultiesAttachment |
| spellingShingle | Natalia Kascakova Jana Furstova Jozef Hasto Peter Tavel Associations of multiple adverse childhood experiences, attachment insecurity and loneliness with physical and mental health difficulties in a representative Slovak sample Preventive Medicine Reports Representative sample Slovakia ACE-IQ Mental health difficulties Physical health difficulties Attachment |
| title | Associations of multiple adverse childhood experiences, attachment insecurity and loneliness with physical and mental health difficulties in a representative Slovak sample |
| title_full | Associations of multiple adverse childhood experiences, attachment insecurity and loneliness with physical and mental health difficulties in a representative Slovak sample |
| title_fullStr | Associations of multiple adverse childhood experiences, attachment insecurity and loneliness with physical and mental health difficulties in a representative Slovak sample |
| title_full_unstemmed | Associations of multiple adverse childhood experiences, attachment insecurity and loneliness with physical and mental health difficulties in a representative Slovak sample |
| title_short | Associations of multiple adverse childhood experiences, attachment insecurity and loneliness with physical and mental health difficulties in a representative Slovak sample |
| title_sort | associations of multiple adverse childhood experiences attachment insecurity and loneliness with physical and mental health difficulties in a representative slovak sample |
| topic | Representative sample Slovakia ACE-IQ Mental health difficulties Physical health difficulties Attachment |
| url | http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S221133552500021X |
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