Gender Differences in Adverse Childhood Experiences and Mental Health Outcomes: A Systematic Review

Researchers still lack a systematic understanding of how types of adverse childhood experiences influence mental health and psychosocial risk behaviors, which could inform gender-specific prevention strategies. This study aimed to (1) investigate the prevalence and types of adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) and their associated outcomes, focusing on the gender differences identified in prior research; and (2) inform the development of more effective approaches to mitigate the negative long-term consequences of ACEs across genders. Our findings are as follows: (1) Women are more likely to exhibit internalizing problems, including depressive symptoms and self-injurious behavior, whereas men are more likely to exhibit externalizing problems, including substance use, delinquency, and antisocial tendencies. (2) Childhood sexual abuse, particularly among girl students and young women, is a serious concern with significant long-term consequences, including an elevated risk of depressive symptoms. (3) Men in the sexual abuse class were more likely to receive a depression, anxiety, PTSD than women. Schools should play a crucial role in facilitating counseling for girl students who have experienced sexual abuse. Interventions should be tailored to address these gender-specific vulnerabilities and serve as a strategy for enhancing mental health and overall well-being among individuals with ACEs.