Numerous studies conducted recently show that adverse events or situations experienced in childhood can lead to myriad health problems in adulthood, including arthritis, pain, trauma and headaches, all of which clients commonly present with inmassage therapy sessions.
New research shows that almost 60 percent of adult Americans report having experienced at least one adverse childhood experience—which may include verbal, physical or sexual abuse; family dysfunction, such as an incarcerated, mentally ill or substance-abusing family member; domestic violence; or absence of a parent because of divorce or separation.
“Adverse Childhood Experiences Reported by Adults: Five States, 2009” ran in the Dec. 17 Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report, a publication of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
“[Adverse childhood experiences] have been linked to a range of adverse health outcomes in adulthood, including substance abuse, depression, cardiovascular disease, diabetes, cancer, and premature mortality,” the report noted.
Among the results:
• The prevalence of each adverse childhood experiences ranged from a high of 29.1 percent for household substance abuse to a low of having an incarcerated family member (7.2 percent)
• Approximately one quarter (25.9 percent) of respondents reported verbal abuse
• 14.8 percent reported physical abuse
• 12.2 percent reported sexual abuse
• For adverse childhood experiences measuring family dysfunction, 26.6 percent reported separated or divorced parents; 19.4 percent reported that they had lived with someone who was depressed, mentally ill, or suicidal; and 16.3 percent reported witnessing domestic violence.
Related articles:
• Stress in Childhood May Shorten Lifespan
• Childhood Abuse and Arthritis Related?
• Childhood Behavior Linked to Adult Pain