The Impact of Early Childhood Environment on Later Mental Health: A Retrospective Longitudinal Study

Abstract

Early childhood environments have a big influence on physical, cognitive, and socioemotional development, which in turn affects how people’s mental health develops over the course of their lives.  Little is known about the impact of the early childhood environment on later-life outcomes, despite its importance. Thus, this study aims to explore the relation between early childhood environment and later mental health outcomes in a sample from Senapati district of Manipur, India. Moreover, this study also unravelled the different issues and challenges which pose as mental health triggers. The findings of this study indicated a substantial correlation between greater anxiety and depressive symptoms in adulthood and negative childhood experiences, including parental conflict and neglect. On the other hand, favourable mental health outcomes were associated with a nurturing childhood environment that was marked by abuse free, warmth and stability from parents.