Impact of childhood household support on depression and self-reported mental and physical health.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Perceived household support during childhood defined as the presence of an adult who consistently tried to ensure that basic needs were met has lasting effects on mental and physical health across the life course. While its protective role is well recognized, less is known about whether these associations vary across gender and racial/ethnic groups.

Methods

We conducted a cross-sectional analysis of 31,233 U.S. adults from the 2021-2024 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS). The primary exposure was self-reported childhood household support, categorized as "Never," "A Little of the Time," "Some of the Time," "Most of the Time," or "All of the Time." Outcomes included lifetime diagnosis of depression, average monthly poor mental health days, and poor p

SUBMITTER: Akinyemi O 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12694880 | biostudies-literature | 2025

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature