CONSEQUENSES OF CHILDHOOD ADVERSITY ON HEALTH
CONCERNS IN ADULTHOOD
Grace A. Adejuwon (PhD)*
Department of Psychology,
University of Ibadan.
Ibadan.
This study investigated the extent to which
childhood adversity experiences through parental
divorce, death or separation, contributed to the
health condition of adult Nigerian workers. 440
respondents (mean age = 39.77, SD = 8.66),
comprised of 228 males and 212 females,
completed and returned the study questionnaire. Of
this number 208 respondents (Males = 118,
Females = 90) reported having experienced the loss
of both or one of their parents before age 17.
The analyses of the data showed that adults who
experienced childhood adversity through parental
loss, death or separation, scored significantly higher
on measures of depression t (438) = -2.42, P < .05)
and acute health problems t (438) = -2.14, P < .05)
than adults who did not. Social/emotional support
decreases with increase in age among those who
reported childhood adversity ( r = - .105, p< .05) and
levels of depression increases with decrease in
social/emotional support ( r = -.194, p< .01). Both
males and females who experienced childhood
adversity have similar levels of depression, acute
and chronic health. Childhood adversity contributed
12% of the variance in depression at adulthood and
10% of the acute health conditions of the adults.
These findings indicate that a significant proportion
of the population of working class adult Nigerians
who experienced childhood adversity may be
experiencing health problems.
Conclusively, although the incidence of parental
loss may seem inevitable, particularly death, it is
important to have a better understanding of how
parental loss in early childhood is linked with the
health concerns in adulthood. Such knowledge
would aid in the development of preventive
*
E-mails: anuadejuwon@yahoo.com ; ga.adejuwon@mail.ui.ed