Adverse childhood experiences moderate the network structure of depression and dissatisfaction in middle-aged and older adults: a latent profile and network analysis.

OBJECTIVES: Although adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) impact long-term mental health, their role in the interplay between adult depressive symptoms and subjective satisfaction remains unclear. This study identified latent ACE profiles, examined network structures of depressive symptoms and satisfaction within each profile, and evaluated how ACEs moderate these associations.

METHOD: Using China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study (CHARLS) data (N = 7881), latent profile analysis (LPA) identified childhood adversity profiles. Network, centrality, bridge, and moderated network analyses explored subgroup-specific symptom architectures.

RESULTS: Three distinct ACE profiles were identified. The high-risk group reported the highest depression and lowest satisfaction. CESD3 (Felt depressed) was highly central across profiles, and dissatisfaction with life served as the key bridge connecting the two domains. Moderated network analysis revealed that higher ACE levels strengthen links between depressive symptoms and dissatisfaction, especially in the high-risk group where symptoms and life evaluations were tightly integrated. For instance, positive connections were observed between SI1 (dissatisfaction with life) and CESD6 (felt fearful) (effect = 0.03), as well as between SI3 (dissatisfaction with marriage) and CESD9 (felt lonely) (effect = 0.03).

CONCLUSION: Early-life adversity shapes enduring structural connections between adult depression and satisfaction, highlighting the critical need for subgroup-specific interventions.