Unveiling the Interconnections between Adverse Childhood Experiences, Adult Attachment, and Adult Children's Relationships with Parents: Insights from a Longitudinal Study in China

Background and Purpose: Adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) have been recognized as pivotal determinants shaping individuals’ physical health and psychosocial development. Nevertheless, the literature concerning the impact of ACEs on intergenerational relationships remains underdeveloped. While some researchers have highlighted that ACEs contribute to problematic parenting behaviors among offspring, no study has examined whether ACEs also influence individuals’ relationships with their parents as adult children. To address this research gap, the current study investigates the interplay among ACEs, adult attachment, and adult children’s relationships with their parents within a Chinese cultural context. We hypothesized that ACEs would impact individuals’ adult attachment, which in turn would influence adult’s relationships with their parents.

Methods: The current study was a longitudinal survey investigation aimed at examining the lifelong impacts of ACEs on the health and well-being of educated rural Chinese youth. It was conducted over two timepoints between 2016 and 2023. A convenience sample of over 300 Chinese youths completed surveys at both waves of study.

ACEs data were collected at time 1 using Childhood Experiences Survey. Participants’ adult attachment and relationships with parents were assessed through Adult Attachment Scale and Parent Adult-Child Relationship Questionnaire at time 2. Demographic information collected from the two wave studies were modeled as covariates, including participant gender, education level and employment status of participant’s mother and father, family economic status, number of siblings, if parent had been a migrant worker, and current economic status of participant。

Statistical analyses were performed using SPSS version 29. Multivariate linear regression models were run to determine relationships between ACEs, adult attachment, and relationships with parents, while controlling for covariates. Additionally, mediation analyses using PROCESS Model 4 were conducted to examine whether adult attachment mediates the associations between ACEs and relationships with parents.

Results: Cumulative ACEs score was associated with attachment avoidance (B = 1.14; 95% CI = 0.53 – 1.74) but not with attachment anxiety. Also, ACEs score was negatively related with regard for mother (B = -0.45; 95% CI = -0.74 - -0.17) and father (B = -0.32; 95% CI = -0.57 - -0.07), but not with responsibility for mother and father. Moreover, attachment avoidance was also negatively associated with regard for mother (B = -0.10; 95% CI = -0.16 - -0.04) and father (B = -0.11; 95% CI = -0.16 - -0.05). Finally, attachment avoidance mediated the associations between ACEs and regard for both parents.

Conclusions and Implications: This study reveals that ACEs have significant impacts on adult attachment avoidance and regard for both parents. But Chinese adult children who have experienced ACEs continue to take on the responsibility of caring for their parents, which may be attributed to the ingrained Chinese cultural value of filial piety. Addressing the internal conflicts faced by these adult children, torn between their assumed responsibilities and their avoidant feelings, could be crucial for their emotional well-being. Findings hold implications for intervention strategies aimed at fostering healthier family bonds and mitigating the enduring effects of childhood adversities on adult offspring’s relational well-being.