Journal article
Associations of adverse and positive childhood experiences with self-reported difficulty sleeping among urban caregivers in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Preventive medicine reports, v 66, 103481
Jun 2026
PMID: 42088989
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Abstract
Adequate sleep is essential for health and cognition, yet a third of adults in the United States report trouble sleeping. Adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) have been identified as a predictor of sleep problems in adulthood, but there is little research on countervailing childhood exposures that may improve sleep or ameliorate the effects of ACEs. We addressed this gap by examining how past positive childhood experiences (PCEs) and ACEs are associated with difficulty sleeping.
We analyzed 2019–2022 cross-sectional survey data from adult caregivers (n = 435) of children in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. We used survey-weighted, covariate-adjusted Poisson regression to evaluate separate and joint associations of self-reported high ACEs and PCEs with difficulty sleeping.
High ACEs were associated with higher adjusted prevalence of difficulty sleeping (aPR = 1.34 [1.14–1.58]). This association was attenuated after adjustment for high PCEs (aPR = 1.20 [1.02–1.43). High PCEs were associated with lower prevalence of difficulty sleeping after adjustment for ACEs and other covariates (aPR = 0.77 [0.64–0.93]). There was no evidence of interaction between high ACEs and high PCEs.
Results provide evidence for a positive association of PCEs on adult sleep despite ACEs, highlighting the importance of a life course approach to understanding adult sleep.
•Positive childhood experiences were related to less difficulty sleeping in adults.•Positive childhood experiences attenuated associations of adverse ones with sleep.•No interaction of positive and adverse childhood experiences in sleep associations.•Current stress levels attenuated the impact of childhood experiences on adult sleep.•Results highlight the importance of a life course approach to adult sleep.
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Details
- Title
- Associations of adverse and positive childhood experiences with self-reported difficulty sleeping among urban caregivers in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
- Creators
- Matthew Jannetti (Corresponding Author) - Drexel UniversityFahamida Khanam - Drexel UniversityMaggie Beverly - Drexel UniversityErikka Gilliam - Drexel UniversityIrene Headen - Drexel UniversityStephanie Ettinger de Cuba - Boston UniversityAmy Carroll-Scott - Drexel UniversityFélice Lê-Scherban - Drexel University
- Publication Details
- Preventive medicine reports, v 66, 103481
- Publisher
- Elsevier
- Number of pages
- 6
- Grant note
- United States Department of Education: U215N160055
This work was supported by funding from the United States Department of Education (grant # U215N160055).
- Resource Type
- Journal article
- Language
- English
- Academic Unit
- Urban Health Collaborative; Epidemiology and Biostatistics; Community Health and Prevention
- Web of Science ID
- WOS:001759723700001
- Other Identifier
- 991022176968704721