A new report from the World Health Organization's Regional Office for Europe reveals that more than two-thirds of young people across the continent have faced at least one form of childhood adversity, ranging from domestic violence to the loss of a parent. The findings, based on a survey of over 26,000 adults aged 18 to 30 in 27 countries, show that these experiences cast a long shadow over mental health, physical well-being, and social and economic prospects.
The study, conducted between November 2025 and January 2026, measured exposure to nine types of adverse childhood experiences (ACEs), including physical, emotional, or sexual abuse, neglect, household substance use or mental illness, parental separation or death, and witnessing domestic violence. More than one in five young adults reported experiencing four or more such adversities.
“When a child grows up around violence or a household in crisis, we shouldn't be surprised that it follows them into the classroom, job market and their relationships years later,” said Natasha Azzopardi-Muscat, director of health systems at WHO/Europe. She stressed that the problem is often underestimated and that its consequences ripple through many aspects of life. “This isn't a mental health issue in isolation. It's a social and economic one, and it needs every sector at the table, not just health services.”
The most common adversities reported were parental separation or death, witnessing domestic violence, and emotional abuse. The report explains that chronic stress in early childhood can disrupt brain development, impair emotional regulation, and alter the body's stress response systems, leading to long-term vulnerabilities.
Young adults who reported four or more ACEs were significantly more likely to suffer from physical pain, difficulties with daily activities such as work or study, and impaired mobility and self-care. The link to mental health is stark: 76.3% of those with four or more ACEs felt they had needed professional mental health support in the past year, compared with 36.7% of those who reported none. Yet, paradoxically, those most affected were also more likely to say they had not received the help they needed.
Breaking the cycle
The authors warn that without effective prevention and early intervention, these harmful experiences tend to repeat across generations. Adults who faced adversity in childhood are at higher risk of raising their own children in conditions marked by financial stress, domestic violence, and parental mental health problems.
Despite the grim picture, the report offers a measure of hope. “The good news is that adverse childhood experiences can be prevented and their impacts reduced,” said Mark Bellis, academic lead for the study from Liverpool John Moores University. Even those who have endured multiple adversities can achieve positive outcomes with the right support.
The findings resonate with broader concerns about the well-being of young Europeans. As life expectancy gaps persist across the continent, addressing early-life trauma could be a key lever for improving long-term health. Similarly, the economic pressures facing younger generations, such as rising housing costs, may compound the effects of childhood adversity.
Experts argue that tackling ACEs requires a coordinated response beyond the health sector. Schools, social services, employers, and policymakers all have a role in creating environments that buffer children from stress and support those who have already been affected. As Azzopardi-Muscat put it, “It needs every sector at the table.”
The report's findings are a call to action for European governments to invest in early intervention and family support programs. With the right policies, the cycle of adversity can be broken, and young Europeans can look forward to healthier, more fulfilling lives.
