Opening the Time Capsule of ACEs: Reflections on How we Conceptualise Children’s Experiences of Adversity and the Issue of Temporality

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
John Devaney ◽  
John Frederick ◽  
Trevor Spratt
Keyword(s):  
Community Violence ◽  
Children And Families ◽  
Subsequent Work ◽  
Cumulative Impact ◽  
Childhood Experiences ◽  
Time Period ◽  
Adverse Childhood ◽  
Short Period ◽  
Time Capsule ◽  
Good Support

Abstract In this article, we engage with some of the fundamental concepts underpinning the original adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) study and subsequent work, whilst recognising that the terminology of ACEs has in some ways become reductionist and problematic. Although an imperfect concept covering a range of childhood adversities at a personal, intrapersonal and community level, ACEs have utility in bridging scientific and lay communities. The evidence clearly identifies that ‘numbers matter’ and that whereas children may be able to cope with a little adversity over a short period of time when they have good support networks, too much adversity over too long a time period, even with good support, will be problematic for the child and their family. Alongside exploring the cumulative impact of adversity, social workers and other professionals need to engage with the temporal component of when adversity is experienced, and for how long, together with the consequences for helping services in deciding when to intervene and for what period of time. This opens the discussion of who is best placed to support children and families experiencing certain types of adversity and how we think about structural issues such as poverty and community violence within the ACEs discourse.

331 Adverse Childhood Experience and Sleep Quality in Adulthood

SLEEP ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 44 (Supplement_2) ◽  
pp. A132-A133
Author(s):  
Chighaf Bakour ◽  
Jill Desch ◽  
Fahad Mansuri ◽  
Skai W Schwartz
Keyword(s):  
Sleep Quality ◽  
Community Violence ◽  
Emotional Abuse ◽  
Poor Sleep ◽  
Poor Sleep Quality ◽  
Foster Home ◽  
Childhood Experiences ◽  
Sleep Complaints ◽  
Adverse Childhood ◽  
Home Placement

Abstract Introduction Poor sleep quality, a risk factor for many negative health outcomes, may result from physical or emotional disturbance including chronic stress. Adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) have been linked with chronic stress, and may therefore be associated with poor sleep quality in adulthood. This study examines the longitudinal association between specific ACEs and the number of ACEs and sleep quality in adulthood. Methods Using data from the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent to Adult Health, we examined the association between ACEs and trouble falling asleep or staying asleep (rarely or never, sometimes, frequently) in waves 1 (age 12–18), 4 (age 24–32), and 5 (age 33–43). We examined ten ACEs (physical, sexual, or emotional abuse; neglect; parental death, incarceration, alcoholism, divorce or separation; foster home placement; poverty; and exposure to community violence) and the number of ACEs (0, 1, 2–3, 4+), using weighted logistic regression to calculate odds ratios and confidence intervals for each of the ACEs and ACE score and each of the outcomes after adjusting for relevant confounders. Results The analysis included 12,768 participants, 75.3% of whom experienced at least one ACE, including 14.7% who experienced 4 or more. Physical and emotional abuse were associated with frequent sleep complaints at waves 1, 4, and 5. Sexual abuse, neglect and community violence were associated with frequent complaints in two waves, while parental alcoholism, parental incarceration, and foster home placement were associated with frequent complaints in one wave. The number of ACEs experienced showed a dose-response association with frequent sleep complaints in wave 1 ([1 ACE: aOR=2.12 (1.16, 3.9), 2–3 ACEs: aOR=2.86 (1.70, 4.82), 4+ ACEs: aOR=4.17 (2.33, 7.48)], wave 4 [1 ACE: aOR=1.02 (0.77, 1.36); 2–3 ACEs: aOR= 1.66 (1.30, 2.10); 4+ ACEs: aOR=2.68 (1.99, 3.61) and in wave 5 [1 ACE: aOR=1.22 (0.93, 1.60)), 2–3 ACEs: aOR=1.42 (1.11, 1.81), 4+ ACEs: aOR=1.88 (1.40, 2.53)] Conclusion Certain adverse childhood experiences such as physical, sexual, and emotional abuse and neglect have a lasting impact on sleep quality in adulthood, highlighting the need to mitigate their impact to prevent negative health outcomes associated with poor sleep quality Support (if any):

scholarly journals Addressing Adverse Childhood Experiences: It’s All about Relationships

Societies ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 8 (4) ◽  
pp. 115
Author(s):  
Paula Zeanah ◽  
Karen Burstein ◽  
Jeanne Cartier
Keyword(s):  
Community Violence ◽  
Family Caregiving ◽  
Adverse Childhood Experiences ◽  
Protective Role ◽  
Toxic Stress ◽  
Adult Health ◽  
Childhood Experiences ◽  
Adverse Childhood ◽  
Global Prevention ◽  
The Impact

Recognition that economic, environmental, and social adversity affects health is not new; adversity may result from social determinants such as poverty, community violence, or poor nutrition; from within the family/caregiving environment; or interactions between these complex environs. However, compelling new research demonstrating the profound impact of cumulative early adversity and toxic stress on development and adult health is leading to the mobilization of global prevention and intervention efforts to attain and assure better health for populations across the world. In this paper, we begin with a global population perspective on adversity and discuss priorities for global health. We then turn to studies of adverse childhood experiences to consider current understanding of how early experiences impact brain development and short- and long-term health. Factors that build resilience and buffer the effects of toxic stress and adversity are described, with emphasis on the foundationally protective role of safe and nurturing caregiving relationships. We discuss the implications of these findings in terms of community health and present a participatory research paradigm as a relationship-based method to improve community engagement in identifying and mitigating the impact of adverse childhood experiences on health.

scholarly journals Responding to the accumulation of adverse childhood experiences in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic: implications for practice

2020 ◽  
Vol 45 (2) ◽  
pp. 80-87
Author(s):  
India Bryce
Keyword(s):  
Child Maltreatment ◽  
Evidence Base ◽  
Helping Professions ◽  
Cumulative Impact ◽  
Childhood Experiences ◽  
Social Distancing ◽  
Course Of Action ◽  
Adverse Childhood ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Global Population

AbstractIn early 2020, the world as we knew it began to change dramatically and rapidly with the COVID-19 outbreak. Social distancing restrictions and lockdown measures have been the most effective course of action and an inarguably imperative approach at this time. However, in trying to keep the global population safe, social distancing measures unwittingly placed children already experiencing maltreatment and disadvantage in harm’s way. This paper will consider the evidence base which attests to the importance of considering the accumulation of adversity when seeking to understand risk and impact of child maltreatment and disadvantage. Given the unique and unprecedented circumstances which have accompanied the COVID-19 outbreak, and the dearth of research pertaining to the impact of pandemics on child welfare, the paper draws on an emerging body of literature about the effect of natural disasters, conflict and significant global events on child maltreatment. The paper synthesises the research to date in order to call attention to the cumulative impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on children already experiencing abuse and neglect. The paper concludes with an outline of the implications for practice in the helping professions.

scholarly journals Childhood exposure to physical and emotional violence over a 57-year period in Sweden

2021 ◽  
pp. 140349482110236
Author(s):  
Steven Lucas ◽  
Staffan Janson
Keyword(s):  
Adverse Childhood Experiences ◽  
Physical Violence ◽  
Significant Group ◽  
Childhood Experiences ◽  
Childhood Exposure ◽  
Current Health ◽  
Time Period ◽  
Adverse Childhood ◽  
Changes Over Time ◽  
Children’S Exposure

Aims: The aim of the present study was to examine the prevalence of childhood experiences of physical violence (CPV) and emotional violence (CEV) at the hands of parents over a 57-year period among adults born between 1937 and 1993. Methods: In 2012, a survey among women and men aged 18–74 years in Sweden was undertaken to examine the lifetime prevalence of physical, psychological and sexual violence and associations with current health in adulthood. Questionnaires were based on the Adverse Childhood Experiences study and a previous national survey of violence exposure. Descriptive statistics were used to analyse the frequency of exposure to CPV and CEV, and changes over time were analysed using analysis of variance and logistic regression. Results: A total of 10,337 individuals participated (response rates: 56% for women and 48% for men). CPV decreased significantly over the time period studied, particularly for those born after 1983. This decrease was more evident for male respondents. Throughout the time period studied, the proportion of women reporting CEV was higher than for men. Among both genders there was a steady rise in CEV rates from those born in the late 1930s to those born in the mid-1980s, after which there was a decline that was more marked for men. Conclusions: A significant group of children in Sweden experience violence at the hands of parents. However, our data corroborate previous national studies that children’s exposure to violence has decreased. Clear gender differences indicate that these changes have affected girls and boys differently.

scholarly journals Adverse Childhood Experiences and Depression Among Women in Rural Pakistan

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Katherine LeMasters ◽  
Lisa M Bates ◽  
Esther O Chung ◽  
John A Gallis ◽  
Ashley Hagaman ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Community Violence ◽  
Symptom Severity ◽  
Perinatal Period ◽  
Linear Regression Models ◽  
Childhood Experiences ◽  
Adverse Childhood ◽  
Mental Health Interventions ◽  
Depressive Symptom Severity ◽  
Major Depressive Episodes ◽  
Depressive Episodes

Abstract BackgroundAdverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) are a common pathway to adult depression. This pathway is particularly important during the perinatal period when women are at an elevated risk for depression. However, this relationship has not been explored in South Asia. This study estimates the association between ACEs and women’s (N=889) depression at 36 months postpartum in rural Pakistan.MethodData come from the Bachpan Cohort study. To capture ACEs, an adapted version of the ACE-International Questionnaire was used. Women’s depression was measured using both major depressive episodes (MDE) and depressive symptom severity. To assess the relationship between ACEs and depression, log-Poisson models were used for MDE and linear regression models for symptom severity.ResultsThe majority (58%) of women experienced at least one ACE domain, most commonly home violence (38.3%), followed by neglect (20.1%). Women experiencing four or more ACEs had the most pronounced elevation of symptom severity (β=3.90; 95% CL=2.13, 5.67) and MDE (PR=2.43; 95% CL=1.37, 4.32). Symptom severity (β=2.88; 95% CL=1.46, 4.31), and MDE (PR=2.01; 95% CL=1.27, 3.18) were greater for those experiencing community violence or family distress (β=2.04; 95%; CL=0.83, 3.25) (PR=1.77; 95% CL=1.12, 2.79). ConclusionsFindings suggest that ACEs are substantively distinct and have unique relationships to depression. They signal a need to address women’s ACEs as part of perinatal mental health interventions and highlight women’s lifelong experiences as important factors to understanding current mental health.Trial RegistrationNCT02111915. Registered 11 April 2014. NCT02658994. Registered 22 January 2016. Both trials were prospectively registered.

scholarly journals How can schools respond long-term to COVID 19?

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lyman Dukes III ◽  
Allison F. Messina ◽  
Nicholas Gelbar ◽  
Marlena Minkos
Keyword(s):  
Adverse Childhood Experiences ◽  
Educational Setting ◽  
Children And Families ◽  
Long Term Effects ◽  
Social Emotional ◽  
Childhood Experiences ◽  
School Aged Children ◽  
The Past ◽  
Adverse Childhood

<p>With COVID-19 considered by many experts to be endemic, the likelihood of persistent and incomparable academic and social-emotional disruption for school-aged children is extraordinary. School professionals have also been adversely impacted. Many children and families, prior to the pandemic, dealt with enduring adverse childhood experiences (ACEs)</p><p>including domestic turbulence and financial, food, and housing insecurity. The disruption of the past two school years, and the possibility of ongoing school disruption, exacerbates these challenges. The recommendations herein are designed to address the expected long-term effects of the ongoing pandemic within the educational setting. </p>

scholarly journals Adverse Childhood Experiences: Beyond Signs of Safety; Reimagining the Organisation and Practice of Social Work with Children and Families

2019 ◽  
Vol 49 (8) ◽  
pp. 2042-2058 ◽  
Author(s):  
Trevor Spratt ◽  
John Devaney ◽  
John Frederick
Keyword(s):  
Social Work ◽  
Child Welfare ◽  
Child Protection ◽  
Children And Families ◽  
Childhood Experiences ◽  
Professional Groups ◽  
Systemic Analysis ◽  
Safety Programme ◽  
Signs Of Safety ◽  
Adverse Childhood

Abstract While an adverse childhood experience (ACE)-informed approach to child protection and welfare has become influential in USA, it has had markedly less influence in UK, this despite growth in adoption of ACE research as a basis for understanding population needs and aligning service delivery amongst policymakers and other professional groups. In this article, we note the development of ACE research and draw out implications for social work with children and families. We argue that current organisational and practice preoccupations, drawing on the example of the Signs of Safety programme, together with antipathy to ACEs in some quarters of the social work academy, have the effect of reifying a short-term and occluded view of the developing child’s needs so as to obstruct the systemic analysis and changes necessary to ensure that the child welfare system is redesigned to meet such needs. This suggests that post-Kempe era child welfare services are no longer conceptually or systemically adequate to protect children beyond immediate safety outcomes and consequently we need to reimagine their future.

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