A024: Adverse Childhood Experiences on Social Participation and InformalSocial Support in Adulthood in China

<bold>Background/Purpose:</bold> Adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) have a significant impact on the developmental trajectory of healthy aging. The profound impact of ACEs on individuals may spill over to influence the informal social support and social participation (SP) of middle-aged and older adults. However, the precise influence of ACEs on SP and informal social support is not yet clear. Therefore, to fill the research gap, we examined the characteristics of different subgroups of ACEs and analyzed the effects of ACEs on SP and informal social support among middle-aged and older adults. <bold>Method:</bold> Data were obtained from the China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study (CHARLS, 2011 - 2018) and the 2014 Life History Survey (N=11070). Diverse aspects of SP frequency, informal social support, and ACEs were identified based on the CHARLS questionnaire items and ACEs were categorized using latent profile models. The fixed effects model was used to understand the impact of ACEs on SP and informal social support and to explore differences in ACE subgroups. <bold>Results:</bold> Three distinct subgroups of ACE were determined. It was found that in the group with excellent and good parental mental group, older adults with poorer parental mental health, lower quality family relationships, and better socioeconomic conditions were more likely to engage in SP with higher frequency (p &lt; 0.05). There was a clear correlation between ACEs and informal support (p &lt; 0.05), but no significant differences were found in the poor parental mental group. <bold>Conclusion/Discussion:</bold> In conclusion, the present study demonstrated that ACEs have an impact on SP and informal social support. To mitigate the adverse effects of ACEs, middle-aged and elderly individuals engage in SP and seek social support. As parents, it is crucial to take preventive measures during the child's formative years and particularly focus on mental health. Moreover, it is essential to pay attention to childhood SES and provide equal opportunities and resources to promote SP and development. This will ultimately improve mental and physical health in later life and foster healthy aging.