A site dedicated to the systemic understanding of work and family cannot overlook the long-term consequences of negative childhood experiences. So often people believe that children don’t understand and that they won’t remember the difficulties they see and hear. Sadly, that is just not true—and one of the largest studies of its kind has revealed the vast costs of Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs). (You can read the original study here). Later, Washington D.C. and ten other states expanded upon the original study. More information can be found at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention here.
The study revealed that exposure to traumatic events and repeated experiences resulted in long-term impacts to health with increased alcohol and prescription drug addiction, intimate partner violence, increased cancer rates, heart disease, chronic pulmonary disease, depression, suicide, financial distress, poor academic and work performance, and a host of other problems. See a full list of medical journal reports here.
This may be one of the underlying reasons for the increase in deaths we are seeing in baby boomers (see my Psychology Today article about it here). On top of that, there is an increase in current child abuse rates (see my other Psychology Today article rising child abuse rates).
As I mention on my home page, a systemic problem requires a systemic solution. Businesses, families and you CAN be part of the solution. The first step is in identifying the problem and recognizing the feedback loop that perpetuates itself through the generations.
To get an idea of your ACE score, take the following condensed quiz. (A fuller version would reveal exposure to any observed trauma, so consider that if you witnessed sibling abuse, neighbor abuse, or even traumatic situations in television, movies or video games.)
Prior to your 18th birthday:
- Did a parent or other adult in the household, often or very often, swear at you, insult you, put you down, or humiliate you? Or act in a way that made you afraid that you might be physically hurt?
- No___If Yes, enter 1 __
- Did a parent or other adult in the household, often or very often, push, grab, slap, or throw something at you? or Ever hit you so hard that you had marks or were injured?
- No___If Yes, enter 1 __
- Did an adult or person at least 5 years older than you ever touch or fondle you or have you touch their body in a sexual way? Or Attempt or actually have oral, anal, or vaginal intercourse with you?
- No___If Yes, enter 1 __
- Did you, often or very often, feel that no one in your family loved you or thought you were important or special? Or that your family didn’t look out for each other, feel close to each other, or support each other?
- No___If Yes, enter 1 __
- Did you, often or very often, feel that you didn’t have enough to eat, had to wear dirty clothes, and had no one to protect you? or Your parents were too drunk or high to take care of you or take you to the doctor if you needed it?
- No___If Yes, enter 1 __
- Were your parents ever separated or divorced?
- No___If Yes, enter 1 __
- Was your mother or stepmother, often or very often, pushed, grabbed, slapped, or had something thrown at her? Or sometimes, often or very often, kicked, bitten, hit with a fist, or hit with something hard? Or ever repeatedly hit over at least a few minutes or threatened with a gun or knife?
- No___If Yes, enter 1 __
- Did you live with anyone who was a problem drinker or alcoholic, or who used street drugs?
- No___If Yes, enter 1 __
- Was a household member depressed or mentally ill, or did a household member attempt suicide?
- No___If Yes, enter 1 __
- Did a household member go to prison?
- No___If Yes, enter 1 __
Now total the number of “Yes” answers to find your ACEs Score: ___
Now take a look at a fascinating interactive map that was developed by emergency room physician, Dr. David McCollum to see the physical health problems related to trauma. You can click on each health bubble to see a flow chart with references. Dental alone is something people don’t connect. I see it all the time with clients that deal with chronic teeth grinding and TMJ.
If you would like someone to speak in your community or at your workplace about ACEs and some of the solutions that can be implemented to help enhance resilience and recovery, please contact me at Kimberly AT EncompassWF.com.