Trennung der Eltern – Liegt die Hauptbelastung in der Kumulation mit anderen Kindheitsbelastungen? Untersuchung einer repräsentativen Stichprobe der deutschen Bevölkerung

Zusammenfassung

Einleitung Belastende Kindheitserlebnisse treten oft gehäuft auf. Je mehr Formen von Kindheitsbelastungen erlebt werden, desto höher sind die psychischen und physischen Beeinträchtigungen im Erwachsenenalter. Die vorliegende Studie untersucht daher, inwieweit das Erleben der elterlichen Trennung mit dem Risiko für andere Formen von Kindheitsbelastungen zusammenhängt und inwieweit die Kumulation von Belastungen in der Kindheit mit Beeinträchtigungen im Erwachsenenalter zusammenhängt.

Methoden Es erfolgte eine querschnittliche Analyse einer repräsentativen Stichprobe der deutschen Bevölkerung ab dem 18. Lebensjahr (N=2466; mittleres Alter=49,5 Jahre (18–93); f: 1368 (55,5%); m: 1098 (44,5%)). Die Erfassung der demografischen Daten erfolgte durch ein Interview, die restlichen Daten wurden mittels Fragebögen erhoben. Die Einschätzung der depressiven und ängstlichen Symptome und der selbsteingeschätzten somatischen Gesundheit bezog sich auf den Untersuchungszeitpunkt, belastende Kindheitserfahrungen wurden retrospektiv mit dem Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACE)-Fragebogen erfasst.

Ergebnisse Kindesmisshandlung sowie psychische Erkrankung von Haushaltsmitgliedern, Substanzmittelabusus von Haushaltsmitgliedern und Gefängnisaufenthalt von Haushaltmitgliedern sowie Gewalt gegen die Mutter waren häufiger, wenn die Teilnehmenden von der Trennung der Eltern berichteten. Die Trennung der Eltern war nicht mit einer erhöhten Rate psychischer Beeinträchtigungen und bei Frauen auch für körperliche Beeinträchtigungen assoziiert, wenn keine anderen Formen von Kindheitsbelastungen vorlagen.

Schlussfolgerung Kinder und Jugendliche, deren Eltern sich getrennt haben, erleben häufiger auch weitere Formen von Kindheitsbelastungen als Altersgenossen. Gerade diese Kumulation von belastenden Kindheitserlebnissen scheint es zu sein, die mit Beeinträchtigungen im Erwachsenenalter zusammenhängen.

Abstract

Introduction Adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) tend to co-occur. The more forms of childhood adverse are experienced, the higher are the psychological and physical impairments in adulthood. The present study therefore examines the extent to which the experience of parental separation is related to the risk of other forms of ACEs and the extent to which the accumulation of ACEs is related to impairment in adulthood.

Methods A cross-sectional analysis of a representative sample of the German population from the age of 18 onwards was performed (N=2466; mean age=49.5 years (18–93); f: 1368 (55.5%); m: 1098 (44.5%)). The demographic data were assessed by interview, the remaining data were collected by questionnaires. Current depressive and anxiety symptoms self-perceived somatic health and life quality were assessed, while ACEs were assessed retrospectively by the Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACE)-Questionnaire.

Results Child maltreatment and mental illness of household members, substance abuse of household members, incarceration of household members and violence against the mother were more frequent when participants reported separation of parents. Parental separation was not associated with an increased rate of psychological impairment and, in women, physical impairment when no other forms of ACEs were present.

Conclusion Children and adolescents whose parents have separated more often experience other forms of ACEs than their peers. It seems to be this accumulation of ACEs that is associated with impairments in adulthood.

Schlüsselwörter

Trennung der Eltern - belastende Kindheitserfahrungen - psychische Beeinträchtigungen - Lebensqualität

Key words

parental separation - adverse childhood experiences - psychological impairments - quality of life

Publication History

Received: 03 January 2020

Accepted: 04 June 2020

Article published online:
21 August 2020

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