Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) & Transgenerational Trauma (Part III)

Adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) are traumatic incidences and abuse exposed from birth to 17 years. The ordeal from these experiences is detrimental to a child’s developing brain, affecting their psychological and psychosocial spheres.

The Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) published a Kaiser ACE study which listed ten types of ACEs. The study grouped the ACEs into three groups.

Abuse

• Physical abuse – hitting, beating, burning, biting,
• emotional abuse – bullying, insults, and threats to intentionally harm the child.
• Sexual abuse – rape, sexual molestation, and stimulation

Neglect

• Physical neglect – abandonment and lack of basic needs: food, shelter, and clothing
• Emotional neglect – inadequate response to the child’s emotional needs and absence of an emotional bond between the child and the caregiver.

Family Dysfunction

• Substance abuse and addiction – drugs, alcohol, medication, and food, energy drinks
• Domestic violence – parents fighting
• Divorce – instability due to separation, and financial problems
• Imprisonment – strained relationships, shame, and family instability from a relative being incarcerated
• Exposure to mental disorders – a source of instability, affects the child’s mental health, exposure to suicide, or suicide attempts.

Present work in research includes experiences outside of the household like racism, violence, and insecurity in the community. 

ACEs Score

ACEs have a lasting impact on a person’s physical and mental wellbeing. The risk increases with the degree of exposure – this is called the ACEs score. The ACEs score is a tally of the different types of childhood traumatic events and abuse. An ACEs score of 6 and above means critical exposure.

The Consequences of ACEs

The trauma unleashed by ACEs significantly affects the brain development of a child. It interferes with their cognition, decision-making ability, self-regulation, and stress management. It is worth noting that a high ACE score is not synonymous with being mentally and physically unwell. It means a person has a greater propensity to illnesses and conditions. 

The CDC-Keiser ACE study showed a correlation between exposure to ACE and adult addictive behavior. ACE adults were four to 12 times more likely to abuse substances, sink into depression, and attempt suicide. They also had a higher likelihood of engaging in risky sexual behavior and contracting sexually transmitted diseases.

Additionally, their probability of inactivity and severe obesity is higher compared to those who have minimal exposure to ACE or no exposure at all. Regarding physical health, those with a high ACE score are highly susceptible to cardiovascular diseases, cancer, liver and lung disease, skeletal fractures.

How to Kick Back ACE Effects

Knowledge is power. Awareness of the devastation the traumatic past has on a child’s mental and physical health is vital for preventative and curative solutions. The brain and its systems are malleable – thanks to neuroplasticity. It can be trained to boost resilience to overcome adversity.

As a caregiver, you can help the child develop resilience to bypass the effects of ACEs on the child’s brain development and its impact in later life. The risks only increase when nothing is done to enable the child to cope positively.