Many of you may have heard of the ACE study and wondered what it was all about, or you may have an in-depth familiarity with the study either professionally or personally. Whatever your level of familiarity with Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) and the importance of the ACE studies conducted by Kaiser Permanente in the 1990s, understanding what ACEs are and why they matter may provide deeper understanding for individuals who are struggling to overcome the effects of trauma and other adverse experiences in their childhood. In this blog, we’ll take a closer look at what ACEs are and why they matter.
What Are ACEs?
Adverse Childhood Experiences, or ACEs, are negative childhood experiences. Examples include witnessing or experiencing abuse, neglect, and household dysfunction (separation or divorce, family mental illness or substance abuse, etc.).
Many individuals, universities, and research companies have completed studies over the years to determine the short and long-term effects of ACEs on an individual’s mental and physical health and general ability to lead a fulfilling life. A study completed by Kaiser Permanente in the mid 1990s is still relied upon as one of the most thorough and informative research studies on the subject, and information from this study is still utilized in ongoing research.
History of the ACE Study
The ACE study was the single largest study to date on the impact of childhood trauma, abuse, and neglect. The study was completed by Kaiser Permanente from 1995-1997. Over 17,000 individuals were surveyed in a confidential manner during their annual physical examination. The survey asked participants both about their childhood experiences and current health markers and behaviors that impact health.
Why Do Findings from the ACE Study Matter?
The results of the ACE study were astounding. In short, the ACE study proved that the presence of adversity in childhood exponentially increases an individual’s likelihood of being diagnosed with a chronic illness, autoimmune disease, or mental or behavioral disorder later in life. Prior to the ACE study, anecdotally, therapists worldwide could have told you that childhood trauma leads to mental illness and substance use disorders, but this study scientifically validated this anecdotal evidence.
Specifically, the ACE study outlined the way that adverse childhood experiences impacted a person over the course of their life from conception until death, which is outlined as follows:
Prior to Conception – the family’s generational embodiment of generational and historical trauma paired with social conditions and context determine likelihood of ACEs for a child born into this family.
After birth and through childhood – ACEs occur, which can lead to disrupted neurodevelopment and social, emotional, and cognitive impairment.
Into adulthood – may adopt health risk behaviors (smoking, drinking, poor diet, etc.) and experience an increased risk for chronic stress and emotional or cognitive health concerns as well as disease, disability, and early death.
How Should I Manage ACEs in My Own Past?
The results of this study may sound distressing. No one wants to hear that their past puts them at higher risk of difficulty, but there is good news. Here are some things you can do to overcome adverse childhood experiences in your life:
Take the brief ACEs questionnaire to understand trauma you may have experienced.
Journaling
Yoga
Meditation
Seek professional help. Thanks to the ACE study, therapists now understand the importance of providing appropriate care that heals the wounds left by ACEs in order to help individuals make steps toward recovering from difficult past experiences, and in many cases, this should be an integral part of the individual’s therapy plan.
If you’re interested in learning more about how therapy can help you understand, heal, and recover from ACEs, please don’t hesitate to get in touch with the Annapolis therapy team at Cedar Counseling & Wellness.
