Childhood Adversity Memories Shift with Current Relationships

New MSU study finds how young adults recall adverse childhood experiences fluctuates based on the quality of their current relationships.

Jan. 31, 2026 at 2:31am

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New research from Michigan State University finds that how young adults recall adverse childhood experiences fluctuates based on the current quality of their relationships — particularly with their parents. The study tracked nearly 1,000 emerging adults over two months, finding that while reports of childhood adversity remained stable, there were meaningful differences in participants' answers over time, with relationship quality being the most consistent predictor of these fluctuations.

Why it matters

The findings suggest that reporting on adverse childhood experiences contains both stable and dynamic information, which could improve how these experiences are interpreted in research and clinical settings. Recognizing the dual nature of these memories may encourage more thoughtful use of these measures when predicting mental health, well-being and life outcomes.

The details

The research team, led by MSU Associate Professor William Chopik, found that when people reported more support and less strain from their parents than usual, they tended to report fewer adverse childhood experiences, particularly emotional abuse, sexual abuse and neglect. The researchers hope that recognizing the dual nature of these memories could improve how we interpret adverse childhood experiences, such as by assessing them more than once rather than relying on a single snapshot to better evaluate how people's memories might be shaped by their current mental states.

  • The study tracked nearly 1,000 emerging adults over a two-month period.
  • Participants reported on their adverse childhood experiences and current relationships three times during the eight-week study.

The players

William Chopik

MSU Associate Professor and co-author of the study from the Department of Psychology.

Annika Jaros

Co-author and research associate on the study.

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What they’re saying

“People are generally consistent in how they recall their past, but the small shifts in reporting are meaningful. It doesn't mean people are unreliable, it means that memory is doing what it does — integrating past experiences with present meaning.”

— William Chopik, MSU Associate Professor

“From research forms to clinical intakes, people often report on their adverse childhood experiences. Caring about the small differences in reporting can encourage more thoughtful use of these measures when predicting mental health, well-being and life outcomes.”

— Annika Jaros, Research Associate

What’s next

The researchers suggest that assessing adverse childhood experiences more than once, rather than relying on a single snapshot, could better evaluate how people's memories might be shaped by their current mental states.

The takeaway

This study highlights the dual nature of memories of adverse childhood experiences, which can be both stable and dynamic depending on one's current relationships. Recognizing this could lead to more thoughtful interpretation of these measures in research and clinical settings, potentially improving how we understand the long-term impacts of childhood adversity.