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Childhood adversities and home atmosphere as determinants of resilience in old age: findings from the Helsinki birth cohort study

Author

Listed:
  • Sini Siltanen

    (Folkhälsan Research Center
    University of Jyväskylä)

  • Katja Pynnönen

    (University of Jyväskylä)

  • Sini M. Stenroth

    (Folkhälsan Research Center
    University of Jyväskylä)

  • Katja Kokko

    (University of Jyväskylä)

  • Markus J. Haapanen

    (Folkhälsan Research Center
    University of Jyväskylä
    University of Helsinki and Helsinki University Hospital
    Karolinska Institutet)

  • Niko S. Wasenius

    (Folkhälsan Research Center
    University of Helsinki and Helsinki University Hospital)

  • Merja K. Laine

    (Folkhälsan Research Center
    University of Helsinki and Helsinki University Hospital)

  • Tuija M. Mikkola

    (Folkhälsan Research Center
    University of Helsinki
    Population Health Unit, Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare)

  • Johan G. Eriksson

    (Folkhälsan Research Center
    University of Helsinki and Helsinki University Hospital
    Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University Singapore
    Institute for Human Development and Potential (IHDP), Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR))

  • Mikaela B. Bonsdorff

    (Folkhälsan Research Center
    University of Jyväskylä)

Abstract

Early life stress has far-reaching effects on various aspects of well-being in later life, but whether it impacts resilience, i.e., the ability to tolerate hardship, in old age remains unclear. We investigated whether childhood adversities and childhood home atmosphere are associated with resilience in old age directly or indirectly through poorer physical and psychological functioning in late middle age. The data comprised 1176 persons born in 1934–1944 and were collected over a 17-year follow-up in 2001–2018. Childhood adversities (greater score indicates more adversities) and home atmosphere (greater score indicates better atmosphere) were assessed retrospectively. Resilience in old age was measured with the Hardy-Gill Resilience Scale, depressive symptoms in late middle age with the Beck Depression Inventory, and hand grip strength in late middle age with a dynamometer. Data were analyzed with path modeling with depressive symptoms and grip strength set as mediators. We found that a greater number of childhood adversities and a poorer home atmosphere were associated with poorer resilience in old age (β = − .13; p

Suggested Citation

  • Sini Siltanen & Katja Pynnönen & Sini M. Stenroth & Katja Kokko & Markus J. Haapanen & Niko S. Wasenius & Merja K. Laine & Tuija M. Mikkola & Johan G. Eriksson & Mikaela B. Bonsdorff, 2025. "Childhood adversities and home atmosphere as determinants of resilience in old age: findings from the Helsinki birth cohort study," European Journal of Ageing, Springer, vol. 22(1), pages 1-9, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:spr:eujoag:v:22:y:2025:i:1:d:10.1007_s10433-025-00839-z
    DOI: 10.1007/s10433-025-00839-z
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Hanna Alastalo & Mikaela B von Bonsdorff & Katri Räikkönen & Anu-Katriina Pesonen & Clive Osmond & David J P Barker & Kati Heinonen & Eero Kajantie & Johan G Eriksson, 2013. "Early Life Stress and Physical and Psychosocial Functioning in Late Adulthood," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 8(7), pages 1-8, July.
    2. Mäkinen, Tomi & Laaksonen, Mikko & Lahelma, Eero & Rahkonen, Ossi, 2006. "Associations of childhood circumstances with physical and mental functioning in adulthood," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 62(8), pages 1831-1839, April.
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