For decades, scientists have known that adverse childhood experiences—moments of neglect, abuse, or hardship—can cast a long shadow over a person’s life. But new research from the University of Aberdeen challenges the long-held assumption that childhood trauma raises the risk of all health problems equally. Instead, the study shows that certain conditions, particularly mental health disorders and chronic pain, are far more strongly linked to early adversity than others.
The findings, published in JAMA Network Open, add nuance to our understanding of how painful childhood experiences echo across decades, revealing not only which health problems are most affected but also how men and women may experience these consequences differently.
Following a Generation from Birth to Midlife
The research team analyzed data from more than 16,000 people who were all born in the same week in 1958 across England, Scotland, and Wales. Known as the National Child Development Study, this unique dataset has followed participants throughout their lives, offering a rare window into how childhood experiences shape health outcomes over the long term.
By the time participants turned 50, they were interviewed about 16 different health conditions. The scientists then compared these outcomes against reports of 14 types of adverse childhood experiences (ACEs), such as abuse, neglect, bullying, family conflict, financial hardship, and chronic illness in the household.
This broad approach allowed the Aberdeen team to go further than most past studies, which typically focus on just one health condition. Instead, they could see a wider and more complex picture of how childhood adversity plays out over time.
The Strongest Connections: Pain and Mental Health
The results were striking. Adults who had faced multiple forms of childhood adversity were far more likely to experience depression, anxiety, and severe or chronic pain by age 50. These associations were the strongest and most consistent across both men and women.
In fact, pain emerged as one of the most powerful consequences of difficult early experiences. Chronic pain is a leading global cause of disability, yet its roots are not always understood. This study highlights childhood trauma as a key, and perhaps under-recognized, driver of lifelong suffering.
The researchers also found a “dose effect”: the more types of trauma someone faced, the greater their likelihood of poor health in adulthood. Those who experienced four or more forms of adversity had the highest risk of mental illness and severe pain.
Women Face Unique Vulnerabilities
While both men and women were vulnerable to pain and mental health challenges, the study also uncovered important sex differences. Women who had experienced adversity were more likely to suffer from conditions such as asthma, bronchitis, and gastrointestinal problems compared with men.
This suggests that biological differences, social pressures, or perhaps both may make women especially vulnerable to certain long-term effects of trauma. The finding underscores the importance of tailoring health interventions to account for sex-specific vulnerabilities.
A Public Health Wake-Up Call
Professor Gary Macfarlane, Chair in Epidemiology at the University of Aberdeen and lead author of the study, emphasized the wider implications:
“Our study provides evidence of the multifaceted potential health consequences of ACEs but shows the greatest excess risks in relation to mental ill-health and severe pain. This emphasizes the role of childhood adversity as a key driver of health inequalities, and a public health priority.”
The message is clear: childhood adversity doesn’t just impact early development—it can shape health outcomes for decades. Prevention and early support are critical, not only for improving individual lives but also for reducing the burden of chronic illness on society.
Toward Targeted Interventions
What makes this research especially valuable is its insight into more tailored approaches. While broad support for children in difficult circumstances remains essential, the study suggests that specific interventions targeting mental health and pain may be particularly effective.
Screening for ACEs in primary care settings, providing psychological support early, and recognizing the unique vulnerabilities of women could all help reduce the long-term impact. Addressing trauma isn’t just about healing childhood wounds—it’s about preventing adult suffering.
The Wider Call to Action
Deborah Alsina MBE, Chief Executive of Versus Arthritis, a partner in the research, stressed the urgency of turning these findings into action:
“This important research highlights the strong relationship between early childhood adversity and severe pain in adulthood. Findings suggest that our earliest experiences may be driving the health inequalities we know exist for people living with chronic pain. Tackling childhood adversity is vital if our governments are serious about reducing the burden of chronic pain for the next generation.”
Her words highlight an often-overlooked truth: health inequalities are not simply about genetics or personal lifestyle—they are also deeply rooted in social and emotional environments, beginning in childhood.
The Human Story Behind the Data
Though grounded in statistics, the real weight of this study lies in the human lives it represents. Behind every number is a person who carried the invisible scars of childhood into adulthood—a middle-aged woman living with both depression and arthritis, a man battling unrelenting back pain, or someone whose lifelong anxiety can be traced back to a chaotic home.
These stories remind us that the past is not easily left behind. Childhood trauma lingers in the body and mind, demanding compassion, understanding, and systemic change.
Looking Ahead
The Aberdeen study is a powerful reminder that science is not just about understanding causes—it is about creating solutions. If we can better recognize how childhood adversity shapes health, we can better design interventions to break the cycle.
Preventing trauma, supporting vulnerable families, and offering targeted care to those at risk could transform not only individual lives but the health of entire communities.
In the end, the lesson is clear: the experiences of childhood do not fade with time. They live on, shaping who we become and how we feel. By acknowledging and addressing this truth, society has the chance to build healthier futures—where scars from the past no longer dictate the pain of tomorrow.
More information: Kate A. Timmins et al, Adverse Childhood Experiences and Health at Age 50 Years in the National Child Development Study, JAMA Network Open (2025). DOI: 10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2025.25708
