{"status":"ok","message-type":"work","message-version":"1.0.0","message":{"indexed":{"date-parts":[[2026,10,3]],"date-time":"2026-10-03T10:05:25Z","timestamp":1791021925374,"version":"4.1.0"},"reference-count":42,"publisher":"Springer Science and Business Media LLC","issue":"1","license":[{"start":{"date-parts":[[2026,3,4]],"date-time":"2026-03-04T00:00:00Z","timestamp":1772582400000},"content-version":"tdm","delay-in-days":0,"URL":"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by\/4.0"},{"start":{"date-parts":[[2026,4,13]],"date-time":"2026-04-13T00:00:00Z","timestamp":1776038400000},"content-version":"vor","delay-in-days":40,"URL":"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by\/4.0"}],"content-domain":{"domain":["link.springer.com"],"crossmark-restriction":false},"short-container-title":["Sci Rep"],"abstract":"<jats:title>Abstract<\/jats:title>\n                  <jats:p>\n                    Early adversity is associated with later mental health, brain, and cognitive outcomes, but the pathways are complex and may involve coping strategies and individual vulnerabilities. We investigated associations between early adversity, coping strategies, neuroticism, and adult mental health, cognition, and global brain volumes. Path analysis was applied to behavioural and imaging data from the UK Biobank dataset (\n                    <jats:italic>N<\/jats:italic>\n                    \u2009=\u2009472,450,\n                    <jats:italic>Mdn<\/jats:italic>\n                    <jats:sub>\n                      <jats:italic>age<\/jats:italic>\n                    <\/jats:sub>\n                    = 58,\n                    <jats:italic>SD<\/jats:italic>\n                    <jats:sub>\n                      <jats:italic>age<\/jats:italic>\n                    <\/jats:sub>\n                    = 8.03, 54.46% of women). All assessed early adverse experiences were associated with greater anxiety symptoms, while all except physical neglect were associated with increased depressive symptoms. Physical neglect was the only adversity associated with poorer cognitive performance, and no adversity showed a direct association with global grey- or white-matter or cerebrospinal fluid volumes. Several indirect pathways were observed: specific coping strategies and neuroticism significantly mediated links between early adversity and adult mental health, cognition, and cerebrospinal fluid volume. These findings are consistent with prior work linking early adversity to adult mental health and brain measures, and highlight coping behaviours and neuroticism as mediating factors. Strengthening adaptive coping may mitigate some detrimental associations, but causal inference is limited by the cross-sectional study design.\n                  <\/jats:p>","DOI":"10.1038\/s41598-026-42435-w","type":"journal-article","created":{"date-parts":[[2026,3,4]],"date-time":"2026-03-04T20:34:23Z","timestamp":1772656463000},"update-policy":"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1007\/springer_crossmark_policy","source":"Crossref","is-referenced-by-count":1,"title":["Associations between early-life adversity, coping strategies, and adult mental health, brain, and cognition"],"prefix":"10.1038","volume":"16","author":[{"given":"Morgane","family":"K\u00fcnzi","sequence":"first","affiliation":[],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"given":"D. A.","family":"Gheorghe","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"given":"J.","family":"Lian","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"given":"S.","family":"Bauermeister","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]}],"member":"297","published-online":{"date-parts":[[2026,3,4]]},"reference":[{"key":"42435_CR1","unstructured":"YoungMinds. Addressing Adversity. (2018)."},{"key":"42435_CR2","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"177","DOI":"10.1038\/npp.2015.252","volume":"41","author":"J Bick","year":"2016","unstructured":"Bick, J. & Nelson, C. A. Early adverse experiences and the developing brain. Neuropsychopharmacol 41, 177\u2013196 (2016).","journal-title":"Neuropsychopharmacol"},{"key":"42435_CR3","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"217","DOI":"10.1016\/j.jad.2003.12.013","volume":"82","author":"DP Chapman","year":"2004","unstructured":"Chapman, D. P. et al. Adverse childhood experiences and the risk of depressive disorders in adulthood. J. Affect. Disord. 82, 217\u2013225 (2004).","journal-title":"J. Affect. Disord"},{"key":"42435_CR4","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"113","DOI":"10.1001\/archgenpsychiatry.2009.186","volume":"67","author":"JG Green","year":"2010","unstructured":"Green, J. G. et al. Childhood adversities and adult psychiatric disorders in the national comorbidity survey replication I: associations with first onset of DSM-IV disorders. Arch. Gen. Psychiatry. 67, 113\u2013123 (2010).","journal-title":"Arch. Gen. Psychiatry"},{"key":"42435_CR5","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"822","DOI":"10.1111\/jcpp.13298","volume":"62","author":"DA Gheorghe","year":"2021","unstructured":"Gheorghe, D. A., Li, C., Gallacher, J. & Bauermeister, S. Associations of perceived adverse lifetime experiences with brain structure in UK Biobank participants. J. Child Psychol. Psychiatry. 62, 822\u2013830 (2021).","journal-title":"J. Child Psychol. Psychiatry"},{"key":"42435_CR6","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"378","DOI":"10.1192\/bjp.bp.110.080499","volume":"197","author":"RC Kessler","year":"2010","unstructured":"Kessler, R. C. et al. Childhood adversities and adult psychopathology in the WHO World Mental Health Surveys. Br. J. Psychiatry. 197, 378\u2013385 (2010).","journal-title":"Br. J. Psychiatry"},{"key":"42435_CR7","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"3294","DOI":"10.1186\/s12889-024-20768-3","volume":"24","author":"M K\u00fcnzi","year":"2024","unstructured":"K\u00fcnzi, M., Gheorghe, D. A., Gallacher, J. & Bauermeister, S. The impact of early adversity on later life health, lifestyle, and cognition. BMC Public. Health. 24, 3294 (2024).","journal-title":"BMC Public. Health"},{"key":"42435_CR8","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"61","DOI":"10.1186\/1471-2377-10-61","volume":"10","author":"M Majer","year":"2010","unstructured":"Majer, M., Nater, U. M., Lin, J. M. S., Capuron, L. & Reeves, W. C. Association of childhood trauma with cognitive function in healthy adults: a pilot study. BMC Neurol. 10, 61 (2010).","journal-title":"BMC Neurol."},{"key":"42435_CR9","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"m3048","DOI":"10.1136\/bmj.m3048","volume":"371","author":"CA Nelson","year":"2020","unstructured":"Nelson, C. A., Bhutta, Z. A., Harris, N. B., Danese, A. & Samara, M. Adversity in childhood is linked to mental and physical health throughout life. BMJ 371, m3048 (2020).","journal-title":"BMJ"},{"key":"42435_CR10","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"89","DOI":"10.1016\/j.chiabu.2016.12.012","volume":"64","author":"JC Poole","year":"2017","unstructured":"Poole, J. C., Dobson, K. S. & Pusch, D. Childhood adversity and adult depression: The protective role of psychological resilience. Child Abuse Negl. 64, 89\u2013100 (2017).","journal-title":"Child Abuse Negl."},{"key":"42435_CR11","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"8702","DOI":"10.1038\/s41598-023-35855-5","volume":"13","author":"M K\u00fcnzi","year":"2023","unstructured":"K\u00fcnzi, M. et al. Adversity specificity and life period exposure on cognitive aging. Sci. Rep. 13, 8702 (2023).","journal-title":"Sci. Rep."},{"key":"42435_CR12","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"449","DOI":"10.1016\/j.physbeh.2007.04.011","volume":"91","author":"TC Adam","year":"2007","unstructured":"Adam, T. C. & Epel, E. S. Stress, eating and the reward system. Physiol. Behav. 91, 449\u2013458 (2007).","journal-title":"Physiol. Behav."},{"key":"42435_CR13","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"481","DOI":"10.1177\/1745691614544528","volume":"9","author":"DH Barlow","year":"2014","unstructured":"Barlow, D. H., Ellard, K. K., Sauer-Zavala, S., Bullis, J. R. & Carl, J. R. The Origins of Neuroticism. Perspect. Psychol. Sci. 9, 481\u2013496 (2014).","journal-title":"Perspect. Psychol. Sci."},{"key":"42435_CR14","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"17","DOI":"10.1007\/s00213-010-1916-6","volume":"214","author":"MA Enoch","year":"2011","unstructured":"Enoch, M. A. The Role of Early Life Stress as a Predictor for Alcohol and Drug Dependence. Psychopharmacol. (Berl). 214, 17\u201331 (2011).","journal-title":"Psychopharmacol. (Berl)"},{"key":"42435_CR15","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"367","DOI":"10.31887\/DCNS.2006.8.4\/bmcewen","volume":"8","author":"BS McEwen","year":"2006","unstructured":"McEwen, B. S. Protective and damaging effects of stress mediators: Central role of the brain. Dialogues Clin. Neurosci. 8, 367\u2013381 (2006).","journal-title":"Dialogues Clin. Neurosci."},{"key":"42435_CR16","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"431","DOI":"10.1146\/annurev-med-052209-100430","volume":"62","author":"BS McEwen","year":"2011","unstructured":"McEwen, B. S. & Gianaros, P. J. Stress- and allostasis-induced brain plasticity. Annu. Rev. Med. 62, 431\u2013445 (2011).","journal-title":"Annu. Rev. Med."},{"key":"42435_CR17","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"8108","DOI":"10.1038\/s41598-024-58510-z","volume":"14","author":"CP Pflanz","year":"2024","unstructured":"Pflanz, C. P., K\u00fcnzi, M., Gallacher, J. & Bauermeister, S. Distress and neuroticism as mediators of the effect of childhood and adulthood adversity on cognitive performance in the UK Biobank study. Sci. Rep. 14, 8108 (2024).","journal-title":"Sci. Rep."},{"key":"42435_CR18","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"e2230690","DOI":"10.1001\/jamanetworkopen.2022.30690","volume":"5","author":"G Yang","year":"2022","unstructured":"Yang, G. et al. Association of Unhealthy Lifestyle and Childhood Adversity With Acceleration of Aging Among UK Biobank Participants. JAMA Netw. Open. 5, e2230690 (2022).","journal-title":"JAMA Netw. Open."},{"key":"42435_CR19","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"434","DOI":"10.1038\/nrn2639","volume":"10","author":"SJ Lupien","year":"2009","unstructured":"Lupien, S. J., McEwen, B. S., Gunnar, M. R. & Heim, C. Effects of stress throughout the lifespan on the brain, behaviour and cognition. Nat. Rev. Neurosci. 10, 434\u2013445 (2009).","journal-title":"Nat. Rev. Neurosci."},{"key":"42435_CR20","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"277","DOI":"10.1146\/annurev-devpsych-121318-084950","volume":"1","author":"KA McLaughlin","year":"2019","unstructured":"McLaughlin, K. A., Weissman, D. & Bitr\u00e1n, D. Childhood Adversity and Neural Development: A Systematic Review. Annual Rev. Dev. Psychol. 1, 277\u2013312 (2019).","journal-title":"Annual Rev. Dev. Psychol."},{"key":"42435_CR21","unstructured":"Lazarus, R. S. & Folkman, S. Stress, Appraisal, and Coping (Springer Publishing Company, 1984)."},{"key":"42435_CR22","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"1471","DOI":"10.1017\/S0033291702006566","volume":"32","author":"A Roy","year":"2002","unstructured":"Roy, A. Childhood trauma and neuroticism as an adult: Possible implication for the development of the common psychiatric disorders and suicidal behaviour. Psychol. Med. 32, 1471\u20131474 (2002).","journal-title":"Psychol. Med."},{"key":"42435_CR23","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"260","DOI":"10.1017\/S0033291718000715","volume":"49","author":"K Lehto","year":"2019","unstructured":"Lehto, K., Karlsson, I., Lundholm, C. & Pedersen, N. L. Genetic risk for neuroticism predicts emotional health depending on childhood adversity. Psychol. Med. 49, 260\u2013267 (2019).","journal-title":"Psychol. Med."},{"key":"42435_CR24","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"e0231627","DOI":"10.1371\/journal.pone.0231627","volume":"15","author":"C Fawns-Ritchie","year":"2020","unstructured":"Fawns-Ritchie, C. & Deary, I. J. Reliability and validity of the UK Biobank cognitive tests. PLOS ONE. 15, e0231627 (2020).","journal-title":"PLOS ONE"},{"key":"42435_CR25","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"45","DOI":"10.1109\/42.906424","volume":"20","author":"Y Zhang","year":"2001","unstructured":"Zhang, Y., Brady, M. & Smith, S. Segmentation of brain MR images through a hidden Markov random field model and the expectation-maximization algorithm. IEEE Trans. Med. Imaging. 20, 45\u201357 (2001).","journal-title":"IEEE Trans. Med. Imaging"},{"key":"42435_CR26","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"400","DOI":"10.1016\/j.neuroimage.2017.10.034","volume":"166","author":"F Alfaro-Almagro","year":"2018","unstructured":"Alfaro-Almagro, F. et al. Image processing and Quality Control for the first 10,000 brain imaging datasets from UK Biobank. NeuroImage 166, 400\u2013424 (2018).","journal-title":"NeuroImage"},{"key":"42435_CR27","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"1","DOI":"10.1080\/10705519909540118","volume":"6","author":"L Hu","year":"1999","unstructured":"Hu, L. & Bentler, P. M. Cutoff criteria for fit indexes in covariance structure analysis: Conventional criteria versus new alternatives. Struct. Equation Modeling: Multidisciplinary J. 6, 1\u201355 (1999).","journal-title":"Struct. Equation Modeling: Multidisciplinary J."},{"key":"42435_CR28","unstructured":"Kline, R. B. Principles and Practice of Structural Equation Modeling (Guilford, 2015)."},{"key":"42435_CR29","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"e1001349","DOI":"10.1371\/journal.pmed.1001349","volume":"9","author":"RE Norman","year":"2012","unstructured":"Norman, R. E. et al. The Long-Term Health Consequences of Child Physical Abuse, Emotional Abuse, and Neglect: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. PLoS Med. 9, e1001349 (2012).","journal-title":"PLoS Med."},{"key":"42435_CR30","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"578","DOI":"10.1016\/j.neubiorev.2014.10.012","volume":"47","author":"KA McLaughlin","year":"2014","unstructured":"McLaughlin, K. A., Sheridan, M. A. & Lambert, H. K. Childhood Adversity and Neural Development: Deprivation and Threat as Distinct Dimensions of Early Experience. Neurosci. Biobehav Rev. 47, 578\u2013591 (2014).","journal-title":"Neurosci. Biobehav Rev."},{"key":"42435_CR31","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"580","DOI":"10.1016\/j.tics.2014.09.001","volume":"18","author":"MA Sheridan","year":"2014","unstructured":"Sheridan, M. A. & McLaughlin, K. A. Dimensions of Early Experience and Neural Development: Deprivation and Threat. Trends Cogn. Sci. 18, 580\u2013585 (2014).","journal-title":"Trends Cogn. Sci."},{"key":"42435_CR32","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"20","DOI":"10.1192\/bjp.bp.109.074716","volume":"197","author":"R Bruffaerts","year":"2010","unstructured":"Bruffaerts, R. et al. Childhood adversities as risk factors for onset and persistence of suicidal behaviour. Br. J. Psychiatry. 197, 20\u201327 (2010).","journal-title":"Br. J. Psychiatry"},{"key":"42435_CR33","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"104361","DOI":"10.1016\/j.chiabu.2020.104361","volume":"102","author":"KL Humphreys","year":"2020","unstructured":"Humphreys, K. L. et al. Child maltreatment and depression: A meta-analysis of studies using the Childhood Trauma Questionnaire. Child. Abuse Negl. 102, 104361 (2020).","journal-title":"Child. Abuse Negl."},{"key":"42435_CR34","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"30","DOI":"10.1186\/1471-2458-7-30","volume":"7","author":"EA Schilling","year":"2007","unstructured":"Schilling, E. A., Aseltine, R. H. & Gore, S. Adverse childhood experiences and mental health in young adults: a longitudinal survey. BMC Public. Health. 7, 30 (2007).","journal-title":"BMC Public. Health"},{"key":"42435_CR35","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"151","DOI":"10.1521\/ijct.2008.1.2.151","volume":"1","author":"N Soffer","year":"2008","unstructured":"Soffer, N., Gilboa\u2013Schechtman, E. & Shahar, G. The Relationship of Childhood Emotional Abuse and Neglect to Depressive Vulnerability and Low Self\u2013Efficacy. Int. J. Cogn. Therapy. 1, 151\u2013162 (2008).","journal-title":"Int. J. Cogn. Therapy"},{"key":"42435_CR36","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"1007","DOI":"10.1097\/NMD.0000000000000049","volume":"201","author":"CP Carr","year":"2013","unstructured":"Carr, C. P., Martins, C. M. S., Stingel, A. M., Lemgruber, V. B. & Juruena, M. F. The role of early life stress in adult psychiatric disorders: a systematic review according to childhood trauma subtypes. J. Nerv. Ment Dis. 201, 1007\u20131020 (2013).","journal-title":"J. Nerv. Ment Dis."},{"key":"42435_CR37","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"365","DOI":"10.1177\/00048674211025691","volume":"56","author":"LR Grummitt","year":"2022","unstructured":"Grummitt, L. R. et al. Associations of childhood emotional and physical neglect with mental health and substance use in young adults. Aust N Z. J. Psychiatry. 56, 365\u2013375 (2022).","journal-title":"Aust N Z. J. Psychiatry"},{"key":"42435_CR38","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"104589","DOI":"10.1016\/j.neubiorev.2022.104589","volume":"135","author":"TM Pollok","year":"2022","unstructured":"Pollok, T. M. et al. Neurostructural traces of early life adversities: A meta-analysis exploring age- and adversity-specific effects. Neurosci. Biobehav Rev. 135, 104589 (2022).","journal-title":"Neurosci. Biobehav Rev."},{"key":"42435_CR39","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"135","DOI":"10.1186\/s12874-019-0779-8","volume":"19","author":"C Enzenbach","year":"2019","unstructured":"Enzenbach, C., Wicklein, B., Wirkner, K. & Loeffler, M. Evaluating selection bias in a population-based cohort study with low baseline participation: the LIFE-Adult-Study. BMC Med. Res. Methodol. 19, 135 (2019).","journal-title":"BMC Med. Res. Methodol."},{"key":"42435_CR40","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"729","DOI":"10.1016\/j.chiabu.2003.08.009","volume":"28","author":"SR Dube","year":"2004","unstructured":"Dube, S. R., Williamson, D. F., Thompson, T., Felitti, V. J. & Anda, R. F. Assessing the reliability of retrospective reports of adverse childhood experiences among adult HMO members attending a primary care clinic. Child Abuse Negl. 28, 729\u2013737 (2004).","journal-title":"Child Abuse Negl."},{"key":"42435_CR41","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"260","DOI":"10.1111\/j.1469-7610.2004.00218.x","volume":"45","author":"J Hardt","year":"2004","unstructured":"Hardt, J. & Rutter, M. Validity of adult retrospective reports of adverse childhood experiences: review of the evidence. J. Child. Psychol. Psychiatry. 45, 260\u2013273 (2004).","journal-title":"J. Child. Psychol. Psychiatry"},{"key":"42435_CR42","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"9","DOI":"10.1016\/j.jpsychires.2018.08.009","volume":"105","author":"I Wielaard","year":"2018","unstructured":"Wielaard, I., Stek, M. L., Comijs, H. C. & Rhebergen, D. Reliability of retrospective reports on childhood abuse and its determinants in older adults during a 6-year follow-up. J. Psychiatr. Res. 105, 9\u201316 (2018).","journal-title":"J. Psychiatr. Res."}],"container-title":["Scientific Reports"],"original-title":[],"language":"en","link":[{"URL":"https:\/\/www.nature.com\/articles\/s41598-026-42435-w","content-type":"text\/html","content-version":"vor","intended-application":"text-mining"},{"URL":"https:\/\/www.nature.com\/articles\/s41598-026-42435-w.pdf","content-type":"application\/pdf","content-version":"vor","intended-application":"text-mining"},{"URL":"https:\/\/www.nature.com\/articles\/s41598-026-42435-w.pdf","content-type":"application\/pdf","content-version":"vor","intended-application":"similarity-checking"}],"deposited":{"date-parts":[[2026,4,13]],"date-time":"2026-04-13T04:55:43Z","timestamp":1776056143000},"score":1,"resource":{"primary":{"URL":"https:\/\/www.nature.com\/articles\/s41598-026-42435-w"}},"subtitle":[],"short-title":[],"issued":{"date-parts":[[2026,3,4]]},"references-count":42,"journal-issue":{"issue":"1","published-online":{"date-parts":[[2026,12]]}},"alternative-id":["42435"],"URL":"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1038\/s41598-026-42435-w","relation":{},"ISSN":["2045-2322"],"issn-type":[{"value":"2045-2322","type":"electronic"}],"subject":[],"published":{"date-parts":[[2026,3,4]]},"assertion":[{"value":"24 December 2025","order":1,"name":"received","label":"Received","group":{"name":"ArticleHistory","label":"Article History"}},{"value":"25 February 2026","order":2,"name":"accepted","label":"Accepted","group":{"name":"ArticleHistory","label":"Article History"}},{"value":"4 March 2026","order":3,"name":"first_online","label":"First Online","group":{"name":"ArticleHistory","label":"Article History"}},{"order":1,"name":"Ethics","group":{"name":"EthicsHeading","label":"Declarations"}},{"value":"The authors declare no competing interests.","order":2,"name":"Ethics","group":{"name":"EthicsHeading","label":"Competing interests"}},{"value":"The UK Biobank study received ethical approval from the Research Ethics Committee (approval letter dated 17th June 2011, Ref 11\/NW\/0382) and was conducted in accordance with the Declaration of Helsinki. All participants gave written informed consent for their participation.","order":3,"name":"Ethics","group":{"name":"EthicsHeading","label":"Ethics declaration"}}],"article-number":"12147"}}