August 21, 2026

What happens at work may not begin at work. For some young employees, struggles with job security, confidence, and optimism may be shaped by experiences from much earlier in life. In ‘Young people who faced childhood adversities like abuse more likely to struggle at work: Study’ (The Straits Times, 14 June 2026), the findings of a recent study on childhood adversity and young workers’ well-being in Singapore were highlighted.

The article reports on ‘Adverse childhood experiences and the well-being of young workers: exploring the longitudinal impact on health and work-related functioning’ (Community, Work & Family, 2026) by Associate Professor Carys Chan (Griffith Business School), Assistant Professor Gerard Chung, Tan Zhi Han, and S R Nathan Professor Irene Y. H. Ng (all  from NUS Social Work & NUS Social Service Research Centre). The researchers examine how adverse childhood experiences affect young Singaporean workers in their early careers. Specifically, they investigate whether childhood adversities, such as abuse, exposure to household substance abuse, and poverty, are linked to subsequent health and professional outcomes.

Drawing on survey data from 1,229 young workers in Singapore, the researchers found that close to 60 per cent had experienced at least one form of childhood adversity. Around 15 per cent had experienced two, while 4 per cent had experienced all three types examined in the study. These figures point to how common such experiences can be, even among those who have already entered the workforce.

The study found that young workers who had experienced childhood adversity tended to report poorer mental and physical health. These health outcomes were, in turn, associated with lower self-efficacy, a weaker sense of job security, and reduced optimism about the future. Self-efficacy refers to a person’s belief in their ability to manage tasks and challenges across different situations, making it especially important for young workers navigating career development.

The findings also show that childhood adversity is not evenly distributed. Workers with lower education levels were more likely to report adverse childhood experiences than those with higher qualifications. Low-wage workers were also more likely to have faced these experiences: among the 448 low-wage respondents surveyed, two-thirds had experienced at least one childhood adversity, compared with about 54 per cent of non-low-wage respondents.

The study highlights the need for employers and organisations to take workers’ well-being seriously, especially for young employees who may still be building confidence, stability, and career direction. Possible forms of support include stress management training, counselling services, and flexible work arrangements that respond to employees’ varying needs.

By bringing adverse childhood experiences into conversation with employment, health, and career development, the article expresses a broader understanding of what support at work can mean. For young workers in Singapore, building a fair and caring workplace may require looking beyond the office itself, and recognising how early life conditions can continue to shape confidence, security, and hope for the future.

Read ‘Young people who faced childhood adversities like abuse more likely to struggle at work: Study’ here.

Read ‘Adverse childhood experiences and the well-being of young workers: exploring the longitudinal impact on health and work-related functioning’ here.