Aesthet Surg J. 2024 Oct 17:sjae214. doi: 10.1093/asj/sjae214. Online ahead of print.
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: The CDC/Kaiser Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACE) study documented that ACEs predict adult health and self-harming behaviors. ACEs have been documented in physicians and are higher in physicians treated for problematic behavior. Plastic surgeons have never been assayed.
OBJECTIVES: Might ACE prevalences in plastic surgeons predict their adult health and/or behavior?
METHODS: 252 ABPS-certified plastic surgeons (72% men, 28% women, ) completed the 10-question CDC/Kaiser ACE survey by de-identified email. Data was collected on adult health and behaviors previously associated with ACEs in the literature.
RESULTS: 42% of plastic surgeons had 1 or more ACEs; 9.9% had 4 or more. Emotional abuse was 2 times higher than the control CDC/Kaiser population, though other ACEs were lower. Gender differences existed: women suffered more sexual abuse (17% vs. 8%), physical neglect (7% vs. 1%), violence against their mothers (7% vs. 2%), and self-defined burnout (32% vs. 17%). ACEs occurred in clusters. Total ACEs predicted autoimmune disorders, chronic pain/fatigue, self-defined depression, irritable bowel, antidepressant/anxiolytic use, alcohol abuse, >3 marriages, >10 sexual partners, sex and work addiction, eating disorders, and self-defined burnout (all p< 0.020). Emotional abuse predicted alcohol abuse. Sexual abuse predicted sex addiction. Emotional neglect predicted autoimmune disease, antidepressant/anxiolytic use, eating disorder, and work addiction. Physical neglect predicted chronic fatigue/chronic pain, depression, and burnout (all p< 0.001 or less).
CONCLUSIONS: Adverse childhood experiences occurred in 42% of our 252-member plastic surgeon cohort and predicted 13 adult illnesses and self-harming behaviors that can impair surgeons’ lives and performances. Recognition may facilitate their recognition and treatment.
PMID:39417477 | DOI:10.1093/asj/sjae214
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