A form of maltreatment that is characterized by parent or caregiver behaviors that directly target a child (i.e., verbal, physical, or sexual abuse). 

Child Maltreatment 

Dysfunction that is characterized by parent or caregiver behaviors or issues that do not directly target a child, but illustrates a home environment that causes disruptions or disorder in the functioning of a family. 

Household Dysfunction 

There are two broad categories of adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) which are:
- Child maltreatment
- Household dysfunction 

University of Illinois at Chicago

Experiences that occur during childhood or adolescence that are potentially traumatic. Examples of these events include neglect, parental conflict, mental illness, substance abuse, sexual abuse, etc. 

Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs)

Albers, L. D., Grigsby, T. J., Benjamin, S. M., Rogers, C. J., Unger, J. B., & Forster, M. (2022). Adverse childhood experiences and sleep difficulties among young adult college students. Journal of Sleep Research, 31(5), 1-9. https://doi.org/10.1111/jsr.13595

Adverse childhood experiences and sleep difficulties among young adult college students

The Pair of ACEs Tree represents the relationship between adverse childhood experiences and adverse community environments. The tree displays adverse childhood experiences that can result from adverse community environments. The leaves on the tree symbolize the "symptoms" of systemic inequities that are deeply rooted in the soil. 

The Pair of ACEs Tree

In the United States, over 40% of youth have experienced at least one or more adverse childhood experience. 

Prevalence of ACEs

Children who have experienced at least one ACE are at more of a risk for:
- Toxic stress
- Increased risk for mental illness
- Increased suicidal ideation and attempts
- Increased risk for chronic physical health problems 

Consequences of Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs)

Universal ACE screening in pediatric health care has been recognized as a way to systematically notice risk and protective factors and create interventions to attend to mental and physical health problems. In pediatric clinical care, adverse childhood experiences can be identified through surveillance and psychosocial/behavioral assessments from newborn to adulthood. Additionally, self-report questionnaires are available to screen youth for potential trauma. 

Identification of Adverse Childhood Experiences in Pediatric Health Care

Positive childhood experiences (PCEs) are experiences in one's childhood that can include child communication, support from family, sense of belonging in one's community, partaking in familial traditions, etc. From several research studies, higher  PCE scores are believed to be correlated with improved health outcomes, as well as an ability to balance the damaging effects of ACEs. 

Positive Childhood Experiences (PCEs)

According to current research studies, experiencing childhood trauma, as part of adverse childhood experiences, is associated with greater severity of the key symptoms of eating disorders, such as food restriction, shape, weight, and food concerns, and day-to-day functioning. 

Experiencing adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) can be associated with key symptoms of eating disorders 

Broad Categories of Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) 

According to recent research, adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) are associated with increased risk for poor sleep health amongst young adults. 

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