Adverse Childhood Experiences Study

The Adverse Childhood Experiences Study is a retrospective study that began in the mid-nineties and continues to the present.

It has shed light on how harmful events in a person's formative years affects their neurological, cognitive, social and behavioral development, as well as learning unhelpful habits/coping skills to deal with life's difficulties.  

The study shows that those with multiple adverse experiences (parental substance abuse, abandonment, physical or sexual violence, etc) have a higher risk of poor health in all areas of their functioning and earlier deaths.

Knowing this information can be a powerful tool for a clinician as we aid our clients/patients in learning healthier and more sustainable coping skills.  

This is being touted as a major public health issue that we can use not only to strengthen current self-care behaviors but as a preventative tool as well.

For more information check out The Centers for Disease Control Prevention website.