Gender Differences in the Relationship Between Interpersonal Childhood Adversities and Later Life Depressive Symptoms.

This study investigates the relationships between three types of interpersonal adverse childhood experiences (ACEs)—physical abuse, bullying victimization, and witnessing domestic violence—and depressive symptoms in middle-aged and older Chinese adults, with a focus on potential gender differences. Using data from the nationally representative China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study (CHARLS), structural equation modeling revealed that bullying victimization and witnessing domestic violence were significantly associated with depressive symptoms for both males and females, while childhood physical abuse showed no significant association. Although females reported higher levels of depressive symptoms and some adversities, no statistically significant gender differences were found in the strength of these associations. The findings highlight the lasting impact of certain childhood adversities on mental health in later life within the Chinese cultural context and underscore the need for further research on measurement validity and cultural perceptions of abuse.