Research on Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) shows how traumatic events, or life experiences that cause psychological distress (Gradus & Galea, 2022), that occur during childhood (0-17 years) have profound implications on an individual's long-term health and well-being, physically, mentally, and emotionally. The concept of ACEs emerged from a groundbreaking study conducted by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and Kaiser Permanente in the late 1990s, which highlighted the strong correlation between childhood trauma and chronic health issues in adulthood. Several additional studies have been conducted since.
This article provides an overview of Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs). Given the profound impact of ACEs on youth well-being into adulthood, we plan to launch a series of blog posts exploring ACEs and their impact on youth development. Stay connected to the Youth Development Insights Blog for more on ACEs research and its implications for youth development.
The Original ACEs
During the first round of this research, the original ACEs identified are illustrated in the image below:
The research groups the 10 original ACEs into three buckets, Abuse, Neglect, and Household Dysfunction. A brief description is provided below:
Abuse:
Physical Abuse: Intentional use of physical force causing harm or injury.
Emotional Abuse: Verbal assaults, threats, or other behaviors that undermine a child's sense of self-worth.
Sexual Abuse: Any sexual act imposed on a child.
Neglect:
Physical Neglect: Failure to meet a child's basic physical needs, such as food, shelter, and medical care.
Emotional Neglect: Lack of emotional support, love, and affection.
Household Dysfunction:
Substance Abuse: Living with a family member who has a substance use disorder.
Mental Illness: Living with someone who has untreated mental health issues or family member who has ever attempted suicide.
Parental Separation or Divorce: Experiencing the legal or emotional separation of parents.
Incarceration of a Household Member: Having a family member who is incarcerated, which can include time spent in jail, prison, or ICE Detention.
Domestic Violence: Witnessing intimate partner violence within the household.
Want to know your ACEs score? You may take the ACEs quiz using the link below by ACEs Matter.
ACEs Quiz
https://form.jotform.com/acesmatter/know-your-ace-score-
Disclaimer: We are not mental health providers; if you have a high ACEs score we highly recommend you work with a mental health provider to heal the trauma caused during childhood.
Research shows the higher the ACEs score the more health disparities one faces as an adult. We will cover this more in future ACEs Series Blog Post.
The Office of the California Surgeon General created a short video on What is ACEs. To watch the video click the YouTube link below:
What is ACES Video:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-vIqJK8Nu1Q
Understanding the lasting impact of Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) is crucial for promoting the well-being of youth and fostering healthier communities. As research continues to expand, so does our understanding of how childhood adversity influences long-term health and development into adulthood. By increasing awareness, advocating for trauma-informed approaches, and supporting resilience-building efforts, we can help mitigate the effects of ACEs and create pathways for healing.
Stay connected to the Youth Development Insights Blog for ongoing research highlights on ACEs and its role in youth development.