Association of childhood adversities and home atmosphere with functioning in old age : the Helsinki birth cohort study
Year of publication
2019
Authors
von Bonsdorff, Mikaela B.; Kokko, Katja; Salonen, Minna; von Bonsdorff, Monika E.; Poranen-Clark, Taina; Alastalo, Hanna; Kajantie, Eero; Osmond, Clive; Eriksson, Johan G.
Abstract
Objective childhood adversities have been linked with adverse health outcomes, but less is known about the long-term consequences of childhood home atmosphere. We investigated whether childhood adversities and home atmosphere were associated with physical and mental functioning in older age. Methods in the Helsinki Birth Cohort Study 2003, participants born in the year 1934–44 had data available on nine childhood home atmosphere items, e.g. whether it was supportive and warm (sum score ranged between 0 and 36, higher score indicating better atmosphere), and nine childhood adversities, e.g. unemployment and divorce (sum score 0–9, coded into no; one; and two or more adversities) assessed in 2001–04. Of those, 835 had data on physical and mental functioning assessed using the Short Form 36 questionnaire in 2011–13. Results those who had experienced two or more childhood adversities were more likely to have poorer physical and mental functioning in older age compared to those with no adversities. A better home atmosphere score was associated with better mental functioning (per one unit higher score β 0.24, 95% CI 0.16–0.32, P < 0.001). In models including both childhood adversities and home atmosphere, a more favourable home atmosphere was associated with better mental functioning while the association for childhood adversities attenuated. There were no associations between childhood adversities or home atmosphere and physical functioning in the models that included both childhood exposures. Conclusions childhood adversities and home atmosphere have long-term associations with physical and mental functioning in older age.
Show moreOrganizations and authors
University of Oulu
Kajantie Eero
Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare
Kajantie Eero
Alastalo Hanna
Eriksson Johan G.
Salonen Minna
Oulu University Hospital Catchment Area
Kajantie Eero
Turku University Hospital Catchment Area
Eriksson Johan
Publication type
Publication format
Article
Parent publication type
Journal
Article type
Original article
Audience
ScientificPeer-reviewed
Peer-ReviewedMINEDU's publication type classification code
A1 Journal article (refereed), original researchPublication channel information
Journal
Parent publication name
Volume
48
Issue
1
Pages
80-86
ISSN
Publication forum
Publication forum level
3
Open access
Open access in the publisher’s service
No
Self-archived
Yes
Other information
Fields of science
General medicine, internal medicine and other clinical medicine; Gynaecology and paediatrics; Public health care science, environmental and occupational health
Keywords
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Publication country
United Kingdom
Internationality of the publisher
International
Language
English
International co-publication
Yes
Co-publication with a company
No
DOI
10.1093/ageing/afy153
The publication is included in the Ministry of Education and Culture’s Publication data collection
Yes