Psychology & Mental Health: ACEs

Original study: 

Felliti, V. J., Anda, R. F., Nordenberg, D., Williamson, D. F., Spitz, A. M., Edwards, V., Koss, M. P., & Marks, J. S. (1998). Relationship of childhood abuse and household dysfunction to many of the leading causes of death in adults. The Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACE) Study. American Journal of Preventive Medicine, 14, 245–258. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0749-3797(98)00017-8 [Cited By over 18,000 publications]

Adverse Childhood Experiences: Translating Research to Action

American Psychologist  Special Issue 2021, Volume 76, Issue 2 (Feb-Mar)

Portwood, S. G., Lawler, M. J., & Roberts, M. C. (2021). Science, practice, and policy related to adverse childhood experiences: Framing the conversation. American Psychologist, 76(2), 181–187. https://doi.org/10.1037/amp0000809 This article provides an overview of the special issue Adverse Childhood Experiences: Translating Research to Action. Given the rapid expansion and widespread application of ACEs, this special issue was developed to articulate critical concepts, to demonstrate the significance and relevance of psychological research and practice, and to catalyze further efforts to develop effective programs and policies informed by science. 

How Broadly Should Adverse Childhood Experiences Be Defined?

Weems, C. F., Russell, J. D., Herringa, R. J., & Carrion, V. G. (2021). Translating the neuroscience of adverse childhood experiences to inform policy and foster population-level resilience. The American psychologist, 76(2), 188–202. https://doi.org/10.1037/amp0000780 Imaging methods have elucidated several neurobiological correlates of traumatic and adverse experiences in childhood. This knowledge base may foster the development of programs and policies that aim to build resilience and adaptation in children and youth facing adversity.

Hays-Grudo, J., Morris, A. S., Beasley, L., Ciciolla, L., Shreffler, K., & Croff, J. (2021). Integrating and synthesizing adversity and resilience knowledge and action: The ICARE model. The American psychologist, 76(2), 203–215. https://doi.org/10.1037/amp0000766 Interventions that address dysregulated stress, promote self-regulation, and provide support for parents have the greatest potential for interrupting the intergenerational transmission of ACEs and promoting resilience and recovery in adults and children.

Longhi, D., Brown, M., & Fromm Reed, S. (2021). Community-wide resilience mitigates adverse childhood experiences on adult and youth health, school/work, and problem behaviors. American Psychologist, 76(2), 216–229. https://doi.org/10.1037/amp0000773 (Full text not available)

How Should Adverse Childhood Experiences Be Assessed?

Hamby, S., Elm, J. H. L., Howell, K. H., & Merrick, M. T. (2021). Recognizing the cumulative burden of childhood adversities transforms science and practice for trauma and resilience. American Psychologist, 76(2), 230–242. https://doi.org/10.1037/amp0000763 (Full text not available)

Briggs, E. C., Amaya-Jackson, L., Putnam, K. T., & Putnam, F. W. (2021). All adverse childhood experiences are not equal: The contribution of synergy to adverse childhood experience scores. American Psychologist, 76(2), 243–252. https://doi.org/10.1037/amp0000768 This study reviews evidence that an empiric interaction (synergy) between pairs of adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) makes larger than expected contributions to outcomes. Sexual abuse, physical abuse, and neglect are the most synergistic ACEs. 

Hawes, D. J., Lechowicz, M., Roach, A., Fisher, C., Doyle, F. L., Noble, S., & Dadds, M. R. (2021). Capturing the developmental timing of adverse childhood experiences: The Adverse Life Experiences Scale. American Psychologist, 76(2), 253–267. https://doi.org/10.1037/amp0000760 The Adverse Life Experiences Scale is a new measure of ACEs that is designed to index the occurrence and developmental timing of such experiences, both in the lives of parents and their children.

How Can Adverse Childhood Experiences Science Translate Into High-Quality Services?

Folk, J. B., Kemp, K., Yurasek, A., Barr-Walker, J., & Tolou-Shams, M. (2021). Adverse childhood experiences among justice-involved youth: Data-driven recommendations for action using the sequential intercept model. American Psychologist, 76(2), 268–283. https://doi.org/10.1037/amp0000769 Systematic scoping review results demonstrate youth in contact with the juvenile justice system have high rates of adverse childhood experiences (ACEs), which are associated with greater behavioral health needs and worse legal outcomes. 

Blosnich, J. R., Garfin, D. R., Maguen, S., Vogt, D., Dichter, M. E., Hoffmire, C. A., Bernhard, P. A., & Schneiderman, A. (2021). Differences in childhood adversity, suicidal ideation, and suicide attempt among veterans and nonveterans. American Psychologist, 76(2), 284–299. https://doi.org/10.1037/amp0000755 Study results showed that post-9/11 military veterans are more likely to report adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) than nonveterans. 

Luthar, S. S., Ciciolla, L., & Suh, B. C. (2021). Adverse childhood experiences among youth from high-achieving schools: Appraising vulnerability processes toward fostering resilience. American Psychologist, 76(2), 300–313. https://doi.org/10.1037/amp0000754 Youth at high-achieving schools are known to be an “at-risk” group, and this article shows links between adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) and elevated risk for psychiatric disorders in adulthood. 

Hampton-Anderson, J. N., Carter, S., Fani, N., Gillespie, C. F., Henry, T. L., Holmes, E., Lamis, D. A., LoParo, D., Maples-Keller, J. L., Powers, A., Sonu, S., & Kaslow, N. J. (2021). Adverse childhood experiences in African Americans: Framework, practice, and policy. American Psychologist, 76(2), 314–325. https://doi.org/10.1037/amp0000767 Adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) disproportionately impact African Americans. It is imperative that we develop and test culturally relevant programs to prevent ACEs, as well as design interventions to reduce the negative impact of exposure. 

Woods-Jaeger, B., Briggs, E. C., Gaylord-Harden, N., Cho, B., & Lemon, E. (2021). Translating cultural assets research into action to mitigate adverse childhood experience–related health disparities among African American youth. American Psychologist, 76(2), 326–336. https://doi.org/10.1037/amp0000779 (Full text not available)

Roubinov, D. S., Luecken, L. J., Curci, S. G., Somers, J. A., & Winstone, L. K. (2021). A prenatal programming perspective on the intergenerational transmission of maternal adverse childhood experiences to offspring health problems. American Psychologist, 76(2), 337–349. https://doi.org/10.1037/amp0000762 The current article integrates the intergenerational transmission of trauma and prenatal programming frameworks to understand how maternal adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) affect mothers and their children.

Osofsky, J. D., Osofsky, H. J., Frazer, A. L., Fields-Olivieri, M. A., Many, M., Selby, M., Holman, S., & Conrad, E. (2021). The importance of adverse childhood experiences during the perinatal period. American Psychologist, 76(2), 350–363. https://doi.org/10.1037/amp0000770 (Full text not available) This study demonstrates the importance of including adverse childhood experiences in evaluating and treating mental health symptoms and substance use during pregnancy.

Barnett, M. L., Sheldrick, R. C., Liu, S. R., Kia-Keating, M., & Negriff, S. (2021). Implications of adverse childhood experiences screening on behavioral health services: A scoping review and systems modeling analysis. American Psychologist, 76(2), 364–378. https://doi.org/10.1037/amp0000756 Significant efforts are being made to screen for and respond to ACEs within primary care settings to help mitigate the individual and public health impact of ACEs.

Rog, D. J., Reidy, M. C., Manian, N., Daley, T. C., & Lieberman, L. (2021). Opportunities for psychologists to enact community change through adverse childhood experiences, trauma, and resilience networks. American Psychologist, 76(2), 379–390. https://doi.org/10.1037/amp0000778  (Full text not available) Evaluation findings from the Mobilizing Action for Resilient Communities initiative indicate that community-based, multisector networks organized to address adverse childhood experiences and trauma and foster resilience can provide opportunities for psychologists to participate as part of multidisciplinary efforts aimed at effecting community change.