Reports of abusive experiences during childhood and adult health ratings: personal control as a pathway?

OBJECTIVE This study examines the relationship between reports of childhood abuse and self-rated health in adulthood, and the potential of personal control to serve as a mediator. METHOD Regression models were estimated using data from the National Survey of Midlife Development in the United States (MIDUS). RESULTS Reported emotional abuse was associated with lower personal control. In addition, women who reported emotional abuse by mother or both parents were more likely than women who were not abused to report lower self-rated health. The relationship between emotional abuse by both parents and self-rated health was mediated by personal control. DISCUSSION The findings suggest that there are long-term health consequences of early childhood abuse. The effects of childhood abusive experiences, however, operate differently for men and women and are dependent on the outcome examined. Childhood abuse compromises personal control that, in turn, leads to lower health ratings.