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Social Psychiatry and Psychiatric Epidemiology
Published in: Social Psychiatry and Psychiatric Epidemiology 3/2013

01-03-2013 | Original Paper

Relationship between adverse childhood experiences and unemployment among adults from five US states

Authors: Yong Liu, Janet B. Croft, Daniel P. Chapman, Geraldine S. Perry, Kurt J. Greenlund, Guixiang Zhao, Valerie J. Edwards

Published in: Social Psychiatry and Psychiatric Epidemiology | Issue 3/2013

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Abstract

Purpose

Our study assesses the relationships between self-reported adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) (including sexual, physical, or verbal abuse, along with household dysfunction including parental separation or divorce, domestic violence, mental illness, substance abuse, or incarcerated household member) and unemployment status in five US states in 2009.

Methods

We examined these relationships using the 2009 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System survey data from 17,469 respondents (aged 18–64 years) who resided in five states, completed the ACE Questionnaire, and provided socio-demographic and social support information. We also assessed the mediation of these relationships by respondents’ educational attainment, marital status, and social support.

Results

About two-third of respondents reported having had at least one ACEs, while 15.1 % of men and 19.3 % of women reported having had ≥4 ACEs. Among both men and women, the unemployment rate in 2009 was significantly higher among those who reported having had any ACE than among those who reported no ACEs (p < 0.05). Educational attainment, marital status, and social support mediated the relationship between ACEs and unemployment, particularly among women.

Conclusions

ACEs appear to be associated with increased risk for unemployment among men and women. Further studies may be needed to better understand how education, marital status, and social support mediate the association between multiple ACEs and unemployment.
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Metadata
Title
Relationship between adverse childhood experiences and unemployment among adults from five US states
Authors
Yong Liu
Janet B. Croft
Daniel P. Chapman
Geraldine S. Perry
Kurt J. Greenlund
Guixiang Zhao
Valerie J. Edwards
Publication date
01-03-2013
Publisher
Springer-Verlag
Published in
Social Psychiatry and Psychiatric Epidemiology / Issue 3/2013
Print ISSN: 0933-7954
Electronic ISSN: 1433-9285
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1007/s00127-012-0554-1

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