New research shows that how young adults recall adverse childhood experiences can change with the quality of their current relationships. The study followed nearly 1,000 emerging adults over a two-month period and asked them three times about memories from before age 18.
Each time, participants reported on their adverse childhood experiences and on the quality of relationships with parents, friends and romantic partners. Reports were mostly stable, but answers did change over the eight weeks. The clearest predictor of these shifts was parental relationship quality. When people reported more support and less strain from parents than usual, they tended to report fewer adverse experiences, especially emotional abuse, sexual abuse and neglect. The researchers say it helps to ask about these experiences more than once.
Difficult words
- adverse childhood experience — bad or harmful events before age 18adverse childhood experiences
- recall — to remember past events or information
- emerging adult — a person in late teens or early twentiesemerging adults
- parental — related to a person's mother or father
- neglect — not getting needed care or attention
- predictor — something that shows a likely future result
Tip: hover, focus or tap highlighted words in the article to see quick definitions while you read or listen.
Discussion questions
- Do you think talking with a parent can change a memory? Why or why not?
- How can parents show support to a young adult?
- Why might it help to ask about childhood experiences more than once?
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