The Deepest Well: Longitudinal association of adverse childhood experiences with subjective life expectancy in later life

Objectives The aim of this study was to investigate the longitudinal association between adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) and subjective life expectancy (SLE) among middle-aged and older adults in China, as well as to assess whether socioeconomic position (SEP) and individual health serve as moderators of this association. Methods Data were drawn from five waves (2011, 2013, 2015, 2018, and 2020) of the China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study (CHARLS), which surveyed adults aged 45 years and older. The final analytical sample included 17,407 respondents. Hierarchical linear modeling was conducted to assess the main effects of ACEs on SLE. Interaction terms were included to examine whether this association was moderated by SEP and individual health. Results There was a significant negative association between the number of ACEs and SLE among middle-aged and older adults. After adjusting for all covariates, each additional ACE was associated with a 0.031 decrease in SLE. Moderation analyses showed that wealth and depression significantly moderated this association. Specifically, individuals in the highest wealth quintile (β = 0.049, p < 0.01) and those with depression (β = 0.021, p < 0.05) showed a weaker negative association between ACEs and SLE. Discussion This study underscores the lasting impact of ACEs on SLE in later life. The moderating effects of wealth and depressive symptoms highlight the role of adult socioeconomic and psychological conditions in shaping this association. Reducing ACEs and promoting financial security and mental health in later life may enhance positive expectations of aging and support healthier aging trajectories.