Supke Max, Hahlweg Kurt, Schulz Wolfgang, Job Ann-Katrin
Institute of Psychology, Department of Clinical Psychology, Psychotherapy and Diagnostics, Technische Universität Braunschweig, Humboldtstr. 33, 38106, Braunschweig, Germany.
Leibniz Institute for Resilience Research (LIR), Mainz, Germany.
Child Adolesc Psychiatry Ment Health. 2025 Apr 26;19(1):46. doi: 10.1186/s13034-025-00904-6.
Adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) are strongly associated with mental and physical health problems across the lifespan, emphasizing the critical need for prevention. Sex-specific differences in both the prevalence and long-term consequences of ACEs have rarely been analyzed, especially in longitudinal studies, which are particularly needed.
This longitudinal study explores risk and protective factors as well as the intergenerational transmission of ACEs from parents to children, with a focus on sex-specific effects.
Data from 316 families participating in the 18-year German longitudinal project "Future Family" were analysed. The dataset included information from mothers (54 years), fathers (57 years), and their emerging adults (22 years).
Daughters and mothers reported significantly more ACEs than fathers and sons, particularly in the categories of abuse and neglect. Experiencing four or more ACEs was associated with higher levels of psychological distress and lower life satisfaction for both parents and children. Approximately half of the emerging adults experienced a similar number of ACEs as their parents; however, the types of ACEs often differed, with children encountering distinct ACEs. Protective factors, such as higher maternal socio-economic status, maternal participation in the Positive Parenting Program (Triple P), and fewer internalizing problems in early childhood, were associated with a reduced number of ACEs in children by the age of 18.
Although women report higher rates of ACEs, men are not less affected in terms of psychological distress. Sex-specific considerations appear to be crucial in the prevention of ACEs and should be integrated into targeted strategies. Our findings highlight the importance of considering both parents' perspectives in developing and implementing effective preventive interventions in families.
童年不良经历（ACEs）与一生的身心健康问题密切相关，凸显了预防的迫切需求。ACEs的患病率和长期后果的性别差异很少被分析，尤其是在特别需要的纵向研究中。
这项纵向研究探讨了ACEs从父母到子女的风险和保护因素以及代际传递，重点关注性别特异性影响。
分析了参与为期18年的德国纵向项目“未来家庭”的316个家庭的数据。数据集包括母亲（54岁）、父亲（57岁）及其成年子女（22岁）的信息。
女儿和母亲报告的ACEs明显多于父亲和儿子，特别是在虐待和忽视类别中。经历四次或更多ACEs与父母和子女更高水平的心理困扰和更低的生活满意度相关。大约一半的成年子女经历的ACEs数量与他们的父母相似；然而，ACEs的类型往往不同，子女会遇到不同的ACEs。保护因素，如较高的母亲社会经济地位、母亲参与积极育儿计划（三倍P）以及幼儿期较少的内化问题，与18岁儿童ACEs数量的减少有关。
尽管女性报告的ACEs发生率较高，但男性在心理困扰方面的受影响程度并不低。性别特异性考虑在预防ACEs方面似乎至关重要，应纳入有针对性的策略中。我们的研究结果强调了在制定和实施有效的家庭预防干预措施时考虑父母双方观点的重要性。
