ACE definitions - Abuse

- Mother treated violently
- Substance abuse
- Parental divorce/separation
- Incarcerated household member

ACE Definitions - Household Challenges

Note: Neglect questions on survey were reverse-scored on the basis of positively-framed questions as opposed to negative
- Emotional
- Physical

ACE Definitions - Neglect

A person’s response to a traumatic event can be subjective in nature and may be psychological and/or physiological. In addition, their response can be experienced across a person’s lifespan in a variety of different ways. This can be immediately following a traumatic event or be repressed only to surface later in life. Research has shown that childhood trauma may have mental or physical effect such as revictimization, psychiatric disorders, cognitive impairment, maladaptive stress responses, and physical disabilities. Traumatic experiences in early life has also shown that it impacts health rick behaviors such as substance use.

Response to a Traumatic Event(s)

- Experiencing violence, abuse, or neglect
- Witnessing violence in the home or community
- Having a family member attempt or die by suicide
- Growing up in a household with a family member experiencing mental health problems or incarceration

Washington State University at Tri-Cities

ACEs are potentially traumatic events occurring in childhood (ages 0-17)



Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs)

CDC-Kaiser ACE study Overview
https://www.cdc.gov/violenceprevention/aces/index.html

CDC-Kaiser ACE Study

Defining ACE Traumatic Events

- Conducted at Kaiser Permanente in Southern California from 1995 to 1997
- Over 17,000 people receiving health exams completed an ACE survey

CDC-Kaiser Permanente Study

- Mental health
- Physical health 
- Substance abuse
- Job and education potential


Risk Factors from ACEs

- Strengthening economic supports for families
- Promoting social norms that protect against violence/adversity
- Ensuring a strong start for children (education, Head Start programs)
- Teaching skills
- Connecting youth to caring adults
- Intervening to lessen immediate/long-term harms
- Raising awareness of ACEs: cause, effects, and how to prevent

Learn Before

Related

Learn After