Childhood illnesses as risk indicators of adult mental health symptomatology

Heightened awareness of medical histories during clinical intake assessments seems warranted. Adversity researchers might also consider the inclusion of childhood medical conditions as future maladjustment risk indicators. Study limitations included the cross-sectional design and unclearly specified timing of the self-reported psychological and health recollections. The role of modulating variables such as gender, ethnicity, socioeconomic status, and family climate in physical-mental health relationships warrants continued focus.