25 - Associations Between Childhood Experiences and Adult Behavioral Cardiovascular Health: The Role of Positive Childhood Experiences

Publication Number: 4024.25

Stephanie Quintero Chacon, NYU Grossman School of Medicine, East Elmhurst, NY, United States; Chinonye Omeirondi, New York University Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY, United States; Juan P. Lopez Garcia, New York University Grossman School of Medicine, Brooklyn, NY, United States; Arielmy A. Morel, New York University Grossman School of Medicine, Paterson, NJ, United States; Abigail Nita, Indiana University School of Medicine, Fort Wayne, IN, United States; Manuel A. Pena, Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health, BROOKLYN, NY, United States; Christina N. Kim, New York University Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY, United States; Robin Ortiz, NYU Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY, United States

Background: Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death in the United States, most common in adults age fifty and above. While cardiovascular health (CVH) can be modified through lifestyle practices such as physical activity, smoking cessation, a healthy diet, and adequate sleep-key components CVH as defined by the American Heart Association- the performance of these health behaviors may be impacted by non-modifiable factors, such as childhood experiences. Prior research has demonstrated that adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) in parents may carry risks for suboptimal health in their children. However, it remains unknown if the relationship between past childhood experiences and CVH in adults is impacted by caregiving for young children.

Objective: To explore the association between ACEs and positive childhood experiences (PCEs), and behavioral CVH among adults in a novel cohort of caregivers and non-caregivers of young children.

Design/Methods: We conducted a secondary analysis using data from the Caregiver CVH Study, a novel cross-sectional observational cohort study designed to explore the relationship between the caregiver-child relationship and adult caregiver CVH. ACEs were assessed using original ACEs study items and PCE using the 7-item PCE scale. High scores were defined as >=4 ACEs or >=6 PECs. Behavioral CVH scores were derived from mean scores for sleep, diet, smoking cessation, and physical activity. Associations between ACEs, PCEs, and CVH scores were examined using t-tests and regression models.

Results: The sample included 84 participants (60 caregivers, 24 non-caregivers) with an average age of 43.1 years (SD=12.5), who were 38.1% Latino, 19 % Black, and 14.3% White. T-test results revealed significant difference in CVH scores between low ( < 7) and high (>=7) levels of PCE (71.31 (SD= 13.9) vs. 77.65 (13.9), p=0.02), but not for ACEs (73.77 (SD= 14.6) vs. 76 (SD=13.5), p=0.43). Regression analyses revealed that greater PCEs were significantly associated with higher lifestyle CVH scores (B = 1.93, SE = 0.74, p = .011) after controlling for demographic covariates, included in Table 1. No effect modification by caregiver status was observed. No association was found between ACEs and CVH scores.

Conclusion(s): Our preliminary findings suggest that PCEs may play an influential role in promoting healthier CVH behaviors in adulthood. While we did not observe an association between ACEs and CVH, future work is needed to explore how caregiver status and context, social environments, and social drivers of health may mediate or moderate the association between childhood experiences and adult CVH.

Table 1. Participant Demographic Characteristics (N=84)


Figure 1. Average Lifestyle CVH Scores of Individuals with Low & High ACE/PCE Scores
Participants with higher ACE scores (coded 1.00, n = 28) had a mean Lifestyle CVH4 score of 73.78 (SD = 14.56), compared to 76.33 (SD = 13.57) among those with lower ACE scores (coded 0.00, n = 65). In contrast, participants with higher PCE scores (coded 1.00, n = 58) demonstrated higher Lifestyle CVH4 scores (M = 77.65, SD = 13.9) compared to those with lower PCE scores (M = 71.31, SD = 13.9; p = 0.024).