Abstract
In this article the focus was to investigate adverse childhood experiences and somatic symptoms in South African adults. The aim was to gain a better understanding of and knowledge on adverse childhood experiences, and to explore whether there is an association between adverse childhood experiences and somatic symptoms in adults. The study included 337 participants, of whom had completed the Adverse Childhood Experiences – International Questionnaire and the Patient Health Questionnaire – 15. Adverse childhood experiences were found to significantly explain the variance in somatic symptoms in adulthood. Subsequent, there were 13 categories of adverse childhood experiences that were investigated; however living with someone who has a chronic mental illness, as well as gender were the only variables that significantly explained the variance in somatic symptoms. These findings indicate that adverse childhood experiences, as well as gender play a role on psychosocial health in adulthood.
M.A. (Clinical Psychology)