There is a lot of research documenting the challenges associated with adverse childhood experiences, and admittedly, we have conducted some of that research ourselves. Using a longitudinal sample of 1177 U.S. youth (on average 20 years old at follow-up), we found three categories of individuals based on their exposure to multiple forms of childhood adversity: One group was more likely to have experienced family instability, including parental mental illness, alcoholism, substance use, incarceration, and divorce. A second group was more likely to have been exposed to parental partner violence and to have been victims of verbal, physical and sexual abuse. Without minimizing the problems associated with these childhood experiences, the good news is that members of a third group, encompassing roughly 4 out of 5 young people were likely to have relatively stable childhoods. Importantly, exposure to greater childhood adversity was associated with greater feelings of loneliness and lower optimism during young adulthood; however, the negative consequences of ACEs for loneliness and optimism were offset by emotional regulation. Building stability and security into children’s lives has tremendous values for their futures and fostering emotional regulation may help further mitigate the negative consequences associated with early childhood adversity.
Main Take-Aways
When we can provide children with more secure childhoods, they are less likely to feel lonely as they get older.
We can also bolster the next generation’s optimism by supporting family well-being.
Teaching children emotional regulation skills from an early age can improve feelings of social connectedness and optimism as youth mature.
Experiencing childhood adversity influences the development of loneliness and optimism in emerging adult years.
Children who undergo difficult experiences are more likely to feel lonely and less optimistic as they grow up. This connection is influenced primarily by how well they handle their emotions. Increasing support for adolescents will allow them to be more confident and social.
“Research investigating childhood exposures underscores the value of supporting secure childhood experiences and teaching emotional regulation from an early age to mitigate loneliness and build optimism”
Elizabeth Mumford
Policy implications: Policies can focus on preventing childhood adversity early on by addressing systemic challenges to family stability. Schools have K-12 options to provide social-emotional education. Working together, we can address today’s challenges by raising engaged and optimistic new adults.
Project Contact
Explore the Project
National Survey on Teen Relationships and Intimate Violence (STRiV)
Suggested Citation
Mumford, E. & Copp, J. (2023, August 23). Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) Impact Optimism and Loneliness. [Web blog post]. Goal: Resilience. Retrieved from https://goalresilience.norc.org.
External Links
Mumford, E. A., Copp, J., & MacLean, K. (2023). Childhood adversity, emotional well-being, loneliness, and optimism: a national study. Adversity and resilience science, 4(2), 137-149.
Funding Sources
U.S. DOJ National Institute of Justice (NIJ)
