ENTWINED LIVES: THE DYADIC RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN CHILDHOOD ADVERSITY AND SOCIAL CONNECTEDNESS AMONG OLDER COUPLES
2024
Childhood Adversity and Social Connections in Older Couples
Sample size: 1214
publication
Author Information
Author(s): Li Yiang, Wong Jason, Waite Linda
Primary Institution: University of Chicago
Hypothesis
How do adverse childhood experiences affect social connectedness in later life for individuals and their spouses?
Conclusion
Adverse childhood experiences are linked to reduced community participation and smaller social networks in later life, with stronger effects observed from wives to husbands.
Supporting Evidence
- Adverse childhood experiences are associated with reduced community participation in later life.
- Spousal spillover effects of ACEs are more pronounced from wives to husbands.
Takeaway
If someone had a tough childhood, it might make it harder for them and their partner to make friends when they get older.
Methodology
The study used the actor-partner interdependence model to analyze data from couples.
Participant Demographics
Couples participating in the National Social Life, Health, and Aging Project.
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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