Association between number of Adverse Childhood Experiences and depression among older adults is moderated by race
Recommended Citation
Babatunde OA, Ramkumar SP, Nguyen SA, Okereke OI, Clark FA, Nagar A, Osazuwa-Peters N, and Adjei Boakye E. Association between number of Adverse Childhood Experiences and depression among older adults is moderated by race. Prev Med 2024; 181:107921.
Document Type
Article
Publication Date
4-1-2024
Publication Title
Preventive medicine
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to assess the association between number of Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACE) and history of depression among older adults and to explore the interaction by race.
METHODS: This study was a cross-sectional analysis of the 2020 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS) data among 60,122 older respondents (≥ 60 years old). The ACE score (zero, one, two-three, ≥four) included questions assessing exposure to eight types of ACEs before age 18. The outcome was the respondent's self-report depression diagnosed (yes/no). Multivariable logistic regression models examined the association between ACEs and depression stratified by race. Each model adjusted for age, smoking status, income, education, marital status, and body mass index.
RESULTS: In this sample of older adults, 47%, 23%, 19% and 10% reported having experienced zero, one, two-three, and four or more types of ACEs, respectively. Depression was reported by 16% of survey respondents. There was a significant interaction between ACE score and race and depression (p = 0.038). Respondents who experienced ≥4 ACEs had higher likelihood of reporting depression for all race/ethnicity groups: non-Hispanic Whites (aOR = 3.83; 95% CI: 3.07, 4.79), non-Hispanic Blacks (aOR = 3.39, 95% CI: 1.71, 6.71), or Hispanics (aOR = 12.61; 95% CI: 4.75, 33.43). This translated to a large effect size for non-Hispanic Whites and Hispanics although the magnitude was bigger for Hispanics.
CONCLUSION: The association between number of ACEs and depression was strongest for older adults who identify as Hispanic, but weaker and less consistent for adults who identify as White and Black.
Medical Subject Headings
Aged; Humans; Middle Aged; Adverse Childhood Experiences; Black or African American; Cross-Sectional Studies; Depression; Ethnicity; Hispanic or Latino; White
PubMed ID
38423302
Volume
181
First Page
107921
Last Page
107921
