The cumulative effect of different childhood trauma types on self-reported symptoms of adult male depression and PTSD, substance abuse and health-related quality of life in a large active-duty military cohort

•Total number of CT types had a dose-dependent negative effect on adult symptoms.•The effect of multiple CT on PTSD symptoms and poor HRQoL was significant.•The effect of single CT on PTSD symptoms and poor HRQoL was relatively weak.•Risk for depression symptoms was similar for both single and multiple CT.•CT history had no effect on tobacco use or alcohol abuse in our cohort.

History of childhood trauma (CT) is highly prevalent and may lead to long-term consequences on physical and mental health. This study investigated the independent association of CT with symptoms of adult depression and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), mental and physical health-related quality of life (HRQoL), as well as current tobacco consumption and alcohol abuse in a large homogenous cohort of 1254 never-deployed, young male Marines enrolled in the Marine Resiliency Study. Independent effects of CT history, number and type of CT on outcomes were analyzed using hierarchical multivariate logistic regression models. Our results suggested dose-dependent negative effect of an increasing number of trauma types of CT on depression, PTSD and HRQoL. Experience of single CT type demonstrated overall weak effects, while history of multiple CT types distinctively increased the likelihood of adult PTSD symptomology (OR: 3.1, 95% CI: 1.5–6.2), poor mental (OR: 2.3, 95% CI: 1.7–3.1) and physical HRQoL (OR: 1.4, 95% CI: 1.1–1.9). Risk for depression symptoms was similar for both single and multiple CT (OR: 2.2, 95% CI: 1.3–3.8 and OR: 2.1, 95% CI: 1.2–3.5 respectively). CT history had no effects on current tobacco use and alcohol abuse. Our study thus provides evidence for substantial additive effect of different CT types on adult mental and physical health with increasing levels of exposure.