Adverse childhood and school experiences: a retrospective cross-sectional study examining their associations with health-related behaviours and mental health.

Abstract

Background: Adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) increase individuals' risks of poor health across the life course. For children that suffer household-based ACEs, experiences in other settings such as schools have the potential to exacerbate or mitigate risks of poor health. However, few studies have examined such effects. This study aimed to examine relationships between household-based ACEs, school experiences and adult health outcomes.

Methods: A national cross-sectional household survey (N = 1,868 aged 18+) was undertaken in Wales using random quota sampling (November 2022 to March 2023). Measures included nine household-based ACEs; two measures of childhood school experience (having been bullied, sense of school belonging); and adult health outcomes (smoking, binge drinking, low mental wellbeing, mental illness, violence). Associations between ACEs, school experience and health outcomes were examined using chi squared tests and binary logistic regression.

Results: The proportion reporting both having been bullied and lower school belonging increased with ACE count (0 ACEs 6%, 4 + ACEs 51%). Higher ACE count was independently associated with increased risk of all adult health outcomes except binge drinking, while poorer school experience (having been bullied, lower school belonging) was associated with increased risk of low mental wellbeing, mental illness and violence victimisation. For example, adjusted odds of current mental illness rose to 3.98 in those reporting 4 + ACEs (vs. 0 ACEs) and 3.37 in those reporting both having been bullied and lower school belonging (vs. not bullied, higher school belonging). In individuals with 4 + ACEs, adjusted prevalence of current mental illness reduced from 44% in those reporting both having been bullied and lower school belonging to 19% in those reporting not having been bullied and higher school belonging.

Conclusions: For children who grow up in adverse home environments, exposure to further adversity at school may amplify risks of poorer health and life outcomes. However, schools are opportune settings for children who lack safety and support at home to recover from stress, develop resilience and access support. Trauma-informed approaches in schools that recognise the impacts of adversity and support children to overcome it have the potential to improve educational and health outcomes. Further research is needed to identify effective approaches.