12-year study finds childhood trauma does not determine adult wellbeing
Mar 9th 2026
UNSW researchers followed 1,600+ Australian twins for 12 years and found that while childhood adversity raises risk, it does not lock people into poor adult wellbeing, with many showing long-term resilience and lower health risks.
- A 12-year TWIN-10 study of more than 1,600 Australian twins tracked mental wellbeing at four points from 2009 to 2024 using the COMPAS-W scale.
- Researchers measured 17 types of adverse childhood experiences and found nearly 900 participants reported ACEs.
- Two thirds of people with ACEs maintained moderate to high wellbeing into adulthood while more than 85% of those without ACEs stayed in the higher wellbeing group.
- An ACE-resilient subgroup had a 74% lower chance of developing a psychiatric illness than low-resilience peers and showed reduced risks of obesity, migraines, sleep problems and alcohol abuse.
- Resilient participants reported stronger social support, better relationships, higher life satisfaction and more positive coping strategies.
- Authors say the findings support measuring and promoting mental wellbeing in schools and clinics and call for research into the genetic, environmental and psychological drivers of resilience.