Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACE) Questionnaire

What are Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs)?

Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) are potentially traumatic events that occur before age 18.

ACEs can include abuse, neglect, and household challenges. Higher ACE scores correlate with potential lifelong health impacts.

Understanding ACEs in Depth

The original ACE study was conducted by the CDC and Kaiser Permanente, surveying over 17,000 participants. It revealed strong correlations between childhood trauma and adult health outcomes.

ACEs are categorized into three main types: abuse (physical, emotional, sexual), neglect (physical, emotional), and household dysfunction (mental illness, incarcerated relative, mother treated violently, substance abuse, divorce).

Effects of Childhood Trauma

• Increased risk of chronic diseases like heart disease and diabetes
• Higher likelihood of mental health conditions including depression and anxiety
• Challenges in forming and maintaining healthy relationships
• Increased risk of substance use and addiction
• Potential impacts on educational and career achievement

Interpreting Your Score

Your ACE score represents the number of adverse experiences you encountered before age 18. Research shows that higher scores correlate with increased health risks, but this is not deterministic.

• 0: No adverse childhood experiences
• 1-3: Some adverse childhood experiences
• 4-6: Moderate adverse childhood experiences
• 7-10: High adverse childhood experiences

Healing Strategies

• Trauma-focused therapy with a trained professional
• Mindfulness and grounding practices
• Building supportive social connections
• Regular physical exercise and healthy sleep habits
• Expressive arts and journaling
• Somatic experiencing and body-based therapies

Helpful Resources

• National Child Traumatic Stress Network (NCTSN)
• SAMHSA's National Helpline: 1-800-662-4357
• Crisis Text Line: Text HOME to 741741
• Psychology Today Therapist Directory
• ACEs Connection Network

References

• Felitti, 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(4), 245-258.
• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2022). Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs). https://www.cdc.gov/violenceprevention/aces/index.html