Objective: Workers productivity is a significant factor of the modern economy. The effect of adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) on worker performance has not previously been studied. Design: A cross-sectional study of 9561 adult HMO members (mean age 47.9 years) in Southern California, who completed a survey about 8 types of ACEs (emotional, physical, and sexual abuse; having a battered mother; parental separation or divorce; and growing up with substance-abusing, mentally ill, or incarcerated household members). Main outcome measures: Three indicators of worker performance: serious job problems, financial problems, and absenteeism. Four areas of health and well-being: relationship problems (marital or family problems, and dissatisfaction with sex life); emotional distress (depression, panic reactions, and difficulty controlling anger); somatic symptoms (back pain, headaches, joint problems); and substance abuse (alcoholism, smoking, drug abuse). Results: Individual ACEs were associated with worker performance and health and well-being. The number of ACEs showed a strong, graded relationship to all outcomes (p<. 0001). Adjustment for the number of problems in the four areas of health and well-being (range: 0-12) reduced the strength of the relationship between the number of ACEs and worker performance by 50-100% (P<. 001), indicating a probable mechanism of the linkage. Conclusions: Childhood exposure to abuse and household dysfunction are strongly related to impaired worker performance decades later. Four areas of health and well-being appear to be intermediaries of this relationship. The human and economic costs of these childhood exposures are major and merit attention by business leaders and the medical profession.
Learning Objectives: At the conclusion of the session, the participant (learner) in this session will be able to: 1. List eight indicators of Adverse Childhood Experiences 2. Clearly understand the influence of the Adverse Childhood Experiences on Work Performance 3. Identify mediating factors leading to these outcomes
Keywords: Occupational Health, Child Health
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: None
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.