Adverse Childhood Experiences and Longitudinal Changes in Intrinsic Capacity in Older Chinese Adults: The Role of Social Support

BackgroundThe links between adverse childhood experiences (ACEs), intrinsic capacity (IC) trajectories in older adults and the role of social support remain unclear.MethodsUsing data from 3,897 Chinese adults aged 60 + years in the China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study. IC was assessed at Waves 1 and 3. ACEs were from the Life Event Survey. Mediation analyses were performed.ResultsACEs were associated with lower baseline IC but not with IC changes over time. Psychological capacity declines were associated with total ACEs (-0.024, 95% CI: -0.040, -0.008) and threat-related ACEs (-0.030, 95% CI: -0.052, -0.007). Threat-related ACEs showed a stronger association with lower baseline IC among those not living with children, and deprivation-related ACEs were linked to greater sensory decline (-0.054, 95% CI: -0.096, -0.012) only in this group. Social support did not mediate these associations.ConclusionACEs are linked to domain-specific IC declines, modified by living arrangement.