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ORIGINAL RESEARCH article

Front. Psychiatry
Sec. Public Mental Health
Volume 15 - 2024 | doi: 10.3389/fpsyt.2024.1440265

Longitudinal association of adverse childhood experiences with cognitive function trajectories among middle-aged and older adults: Group-based trajectory modeling

Provisionally accepted
  • 1 Shanxi Medical University, Taiyuan, China
  • 2 First Hospital of Shanxi Medical University, Taiyuan, Shaanxi, China

The final, formatted version of the article will be published soon.

    Introduction: Adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) impact cognitive function, but the relationship remains unclear. We aim to identify cognitive function trajectories and scrutinize the correlation between ACEs and cognitive function.To identify cognitive trajectories, we employed a group-based trajectory model, and influential factors were determined using multinomial unordered logistic regression analysis.Results: Three cognitive decline subgroups emerged: low-start decline, high-start stability, and midstart decline. There is no dose-response relationship between cumulative adverse childhood experiences and cognitive function. The high-start stability group had specific residence and education traits, while sibling death affected them. The mid-start decline group was vulnerable to parental death, physical abuse, and domestic violence. The low-start decline group should consider age structure and childhood friendships.No dose-response association between cumulative ACEs and cognitive decline. Still, specific ACE metrics are correlated with cognitive trajectories. We can incorporate patients' ACEs into cognitive function assessments for early risk factor identification and tailored interventions. Moreover, recognizing the influence of early-life experiences on cognitive function, we can advocate for nurturing positive family and societal environments to optimize cognitive function.

    Keywords: Adverse childhood experiences, Cognitive Function, Group-based trajectories, predictors, CHARLS

    Received: 29 May 2024; Accepted: 17 Jul 2024.

    Copyright: © 2024 He and Yang. This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (CC BY). The use, distribution or reproduction in other forums is permitted, provided the original author(s) or licensor are credited and that the original publication in this journal is cited, in accordance with accepted academic practice. No use, distribution or reproduction is permitted which does not comply with these terms.

    * Correspondence: Hui Yang, First Hospital of Shanxi Medical University, Taiyuan, 030001, Shaanxi, China

    Disclaimer: All claims expressed in this article are solely those of the authors and do not necessarily represent those of their affiliated organizations, or those of the publisher, the editors and the reviewers. Any product that may be evaluated in this article or claim that may be made by its manufacturer is not guaranteed or endorsed by the publisher.