Abstract

Background: Childhood is a critical period for growth and development, and adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) can impair well-being and have long-lasting negative effects into adulthood and old age.

Objectives: This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to estimate the association between ACEs and elder abuse victimization and to examine potential sources of heterogeneity across studies.

Methods: Web of Science, PubMed, PsycINFO & PsycArticles and ProQuest were searched to identify eligible studies. Random effects models were used to compute odds ratios (ORs) reflecting the association between ACEs and elder abuse victimization. Subgroup analyses were conducted to evaluate whether gender composition, region, study quality, ACE type, the measurement tools (e.g., ACE measurement and elder abuse victimization measurement), and culture contributed to the heterogeneity in the findings.

Results: Nine studies met eligible criteria. The analysis revealed a significant positive association between ACEs and elder abuse victimization, regardless of whether ACEs were treated as a binary variable (presence or absence of ACEs: OR = 1.86, p < 0.001; multiple ACEs or not: OR = 2.45, p < 0.001) or as a continuous variable reflecting the number of ACEs (OR = 1.13, p < 0.05). Subgroup analyses suggested that variations in gender composition, region, and study quality may contribute to heterogeneity in the observed relationship.

Conclusions: This study reinforces life-course perspective and enhances the understanding of the intergenerational transmission of family violence and the accumulation of disadvantage, provides robust empirical evidence through meta-analytic synthesis, and emphasizes the critical importance of addressing ACEs through early prevention and intervention efforts, as well as mitigating their long-term impact across the life course.