Adverse childhood experiences, or ACEs, are potentially traumatic events that occur in childhood (0-17 years). Examples include
Experiencing violence, abuse, or neglect.
Witnessing violence in the home or community.
Having a family member attempt or die by suicide.
Also included are aspects of the child’s environment that can undermine their sense of safety, stability, and bonding. Examples can include growing up in a household with:
Substance use problems.
Mental health problems.
Instability due to parental separation.
Instability due to household members being in jail or prison.
The examples above are not a complete list of adverse experiences. Many other traumatic experiences could impact health and well-being. This can include not having enough food to eat, experiencing homelessness or unstable housing, or experiencing discrimination.
Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) are rarely the result of a single cause. Instead, they stem from a combination of factors at the individual, family, community, and societal levels. While some risk and protective factors exist within families or individuals, no child is responsible for the ACEs they experience.
Protective and compensatory experiences (PACEs) are positive influences that help build resilience and reduce the risk of mental and physical health challenges. In the PACEs Heart Model below, strong relationships and access to supportive resources form the foundation of PACEs. Individuals who experienced numerous PACEs during childhood tend to have better overall health and well-being, even if they also faced adverse childhood experiences (ACEs).
Risk factors are conditions or characteristics that increase the likelihood of experiencing ACEs, though they do not directly cause them. Conversely, protective factors help reduce the risk of ACEs by creating supportive environments and fostering resilience. Strengthening protective factors while addressing risk factors can help prevent ACEs and promote healthier childhood development.
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