I have talked about Adverse Childhood Experiences or ACEs many times because it is essential to understand their impact on our physical and mental health. Knowing this helps us answer people who ask for scientific evidence that our childhood affects our adult life.
Personally, I believe that a large part of our behaviors and habits are formed during childhood, influencing our perception of life, people, and ourselves. However, this doesn’t mean that we can’t change them. It is essential to address our emotional wounds and traumas. Many of us carry them without even realizing it, and they influence our daily lives and relationships.
The ACE study
The Adverse Childhood Experiences study was conducted by two doctors, Vincent Felitti, who served as the director of Kaiser Permanente’s Department of Preventive Medicine in San Diego, California, and Robert Anda, a researcher at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. They examined the records of over 17,000 patients in a medical organization and found that two-thirds of them had experienced some form of negative experience during their childhood. This led to the prediction of a wide range of psychological, medical, and functional problems.
What are Adverse Childhood Experiences?
Adverse experiences are stressful or traumatic events that occur during childhood and can have a lasting impact on the physical, emotional and cognitive development of children.
These experiences can range from neglect and emotional abuse to physical abuse, parental divorce, and exposure to domestic violence.
- Emotional abuse: Being belittled, humiliated, insulted, or degraded on a regular basis, all of which can lead to fear for your physical safety.
- Physical abuse: being hit, pushed, grabbed, etc., with enough force to injure or leave marks.
- Sexual abuse: being forced to participate in a sexual interaction.
- Mother treated with violence: mother or stepmother subjected to violence by a male partner.
- Emotional neglect: lack of love and support.
- Physical neglect: lack of physical needs and basic needs such as food, shelter or clothing; parental incompetence.
Also included are aspects of the child’s environment that may undermine his or her sense of security, stability, and bonding, such as growing up in a home with:
- people with substance use problems (drugs, alcohol, etc.)
- people with mental health problems such as depression
- instability due to separation from parents or household members who are in jail or prison
Today it has been recognized that there are many other types of childhood trauma such as suffering from: racism, intimidation or bullying, seeing a sibling being abused, losing a caregiver (grandmother, mother, grandfather, etc.), homelessness or of economic resources, surviving and recovering from a serious accident, witnessing abuse by a parent, participation in the social foster system, etc.
The ACE Study included only 10 childhood traumas that appear on the ACE questionnaire because they were listed as the most common by a group of about 300 Kaiser members.
Also included are aspects of the child’s environment that may undermine his or her sense of security, stability, and bonding, such as growing up in a home with:
- people with substance use problems (drugs, alcohol, etc.)
- people with mental health problems such as depression
- instability due to separation from parents or household members who are in jail or prison
Today it has been recognized that there are many other types of childhood trauma such as suffering from: racism, intimidation or bullying, seeing a sibling being abused, losing a caregiver (grandmother, mother, grandfather, etc.), homelessness or of economic resources, surviving and recovering from a serious accident, witnessing abuse by a parent, participation in the social foster system, etc.
The ACE Study included only 10 childhood traumas that appear on the ACE questionnaire because they were listed as the most common by a group of about 300 Kaiser members.
What are the consequences?
Early life adversity can have a lasting impact on people’s development and health. Based on studies, it has been shown that the more adverse experiences children are exposed to, the more the risk of heart disease, cancer, as well as a profound impact on mental health, increases.
Impact on Child Development
Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) can deeply impact a child’s development on multiple levels. ACEs can lead to chronic stress which affects the physical development of the brain, nervous system, endocrine and immune systems. This can increase the risk of various physical health problems such as heart disease, diabetes, obesity, and autoimmune disorders throughout life.
On an emotional and psychological level, ACEs can contribute to the development of mental health problems such as depression, anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and eating disorders. Children who experience ACEs may also face challenges in regulating their emotions, developing healthy relationships, and establishing positive self-esteem.
Impact throughout Life
Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) can have a significant impact on an individual’s health and well-being throughout their life. Research has shown that ACEs are related to various adverse health outcomes, including physical health issues, chronic diseases, disabilities, addiction, risky behaviors, and premature death.
People who have experienced ACEs are at higher risk of injuries, sexually transmitted infections, maternal and child health complications, sex trafficking, chronic diseases, and leading causes of death such as cancer, diabetes, heart disease, and suicide.
Moreover, ACEs can negatively affect individuals’ social and economic functioning, resulting in behavioral issues, poor academic performance, unemployment, poverty, and troubled interpersonal relationships.
Source: https://advokids.org/
Health Conditions Associated with Adverse Childhood Experiences
- Autoimmune disease: Among lupus patients, 63 percent reported having one or more ACEs, and nearly 20 percent had four or more ACEs.
- Cardiovascular disease: Research has shown a strong association between exposure to ACEs and cardiometabolic outcomes, including heart disease, hypertension, and obesity.
- Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD): In a study of ACEs among people with COPD, after controlling for smoking and other risk contributors, the risk of COPD increased as the number of ACEs increased, suggesting that ACEs were an independent risk factor.
- Diabetes: Exposure to ACEs increases the risk of type 2 diabetes by 32% compared to patients without ACEs.
- Cancer: ACEs strongly predict behaviours that increase cancer risk in adults.
- Depression: Having at least one ACE is associated with almost three times the odds of depressive symptoms among people who report poor perceived social support.6
- Substance use: According to a 2018 study, adults who experienced domestic abuse were 30% more likely to binge drink alcohol than the general population.
Stress is part of our lives
We have all experienced stress, and it is important to clarify that stress is not always a bad thing. In fact, there are different types of stress that we can identify: good stress, tolerable stress, and toxic stress.
Good stress is when we encounter situations that challenge us, but without overwhelming us. For instance, when we get stressed about an exam, our nervous system can go into fight or flight mode. However, as soon as the exam is over, we can return to our normal state.
Tolerable stress is when we face changes that cause our nervous system to react in fight or flight mode, but with the support of a safe adult, we can return to our normal state. This can be any type of event that life presents to us, which, with the right accompaniment, allows us to get out of survival mode.
Toxic stress is so severe, chronic, or overwhelming that it keeps us living in survival mode for a prolonged period. Our nervous system is locked in fight or flight or freeze mode, and we can’t easily return to our normal state. If we experience this type of stress during our childhood, it can have long-lasting effects on our mental and physical health.
Toxic stress
Toxic stress can be caused by Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) and other social factors that may impact health, such as living in low-income or racially segregated neighbourhoods, feeling constantly in danger, moving frequently, or experiencing limited access to food resources.
Toxic stress negatively affects children’s brain development, immune systems, metabolic and regulatory systems, cardiovascular systems, and stress response systems. These changes can affect children’s attention, decision-making, and learning abilities, as well as their self-esteem, self-image, and the way they relate to others.
Experiencing multiple ACEs over time triggers all of these stress response systems that interact with each other. When children experience these adverse experiences without supportive relationships with adults to provide protection, support, or help them process emotions, they can trigger an excessive and long-lasting stress response, which can have a negative effect on the body.
Children who grow up with toxic stress may have difficulty forming healthy and stable relationships. They may also struggle with finances, work, and depression throughout life. These effects can also be passed on to their own children. Some children may face increased exposure to toxic stress due to systemic racism or the impacts of poverty as a result of limited educational and economic opportunities.
Addressing ACEs from a Trauma and Somatic Perspective
Addressing Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) requires a comprehensive approach that acknowledges the connection between an individual’s body, mind, and social environment. To promote holistic healing, it is important to offer interventions that tackle both the physical and emotional aspects of trauma.
Somatic therapies, such as body therapy, art therapy, or play therapy, can help children process and release trauma energy stored in their bodies. It is equally vital to provide a safe and supportive environment where children can express their emotions, develop healthy coping skills, and rebuild safe and loving relationships with caregivers and other trusted adults.
Moreover, it is critical to address the social and economic factors that contribute to ACEs, such as poverty, unemployment, homelessness, and lack of access to quality health care and education. This can involve implementing policies and programs that strengthen families, promote equity and social justice, and tackle social and economic disparities that perpetuate the cycle of childhood adversity.
Conclusion
Adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) can have long-lasting and significant effects on both individuals and society as a whole. To promote healing, resilience, and overall well-being for children and their families, it is crucial to address ACEs from a trauma and somatic perspective. We must also acknowledge the importance of preventing ACEs and creating safe and healthy environments where all children can grow and thrive.
References
What are ACEs and how are they related to toxic strees? – Harvard University
Adverse Experiencies in Childhood – Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
The link between Adverse Childhood Experiences and Later-Life Health – Baylor University
Adverse Childhood Experiencies – AdvoKids
The Hidden Risk Factor: How Adverse Childhood Experiences Influence Adult Well-Being
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