The Relationship Between Adverse Childhood Experiences and Subsequent Health Complaints in Elite Athletes

Adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) are linked to myriad health concerns. There is a dearth of research exploring the association of ACEs and health among athletes. Elite athletes are an important population to explore the associations between adversity and health because athletes engage in frequent exercise, which may be associated with resilience. In this study, athletes (N = 304) completed questionnaires about ACEs, somatization, and alcohol and drug use. Researchers utilized objective healthcare data, including medication use, athletic injury, and treatment. Logistic regressions revealed that athletes who self-reported multiple ACEs were at increased risk for self-reported physical health symptoms, alcohol use, and prescription medication use. These findings indicated athletes may not be immune to the negative health effects of childhood adversity. © 2015, Springer International Publishing.