PACES

The Science of PACES

The science of PACEs refers to the research about the effects and impacts of positive and adverse childhood experiences (PACEs) and how they work together to affect our lives, systems and communities.

What are Adverse Childhood Experiences?

Adverse childhood experiences, or ACEs, are potentially traumatic events that occur in childhood (0-17 years). For example:

• experiencing violence, abuse, or neglect

• witnessing violence in the home or community

• having a family member attempt or die by suicide

Also included are aspects of the child’s environment that can undermine their sense of safety, stability, and bonding, such as growing up in a household with:

• substance use problems

• mental health problems

• instability due to parental separation or household members being in jail or prison

ACEs are linked to chronic health problems, mental illness, and substance use problems in adulthood. ACEs can also negatively impact education, job opportunities, and earning potential. However, ACEs can be prevented. (aces)

How are ACEs measured?

In the ACEs Questionnaire, 10 types of childhood trauma are measured. Five are personal (physical abuse, verbal abuse, sexual abuse, physical neglect, and emotional neglect) and five are related to other family members (a parent who's an alcoholic, a mother who's a victim of domestic violence, a family member in jail, a family member diagnosed with a mental illness, and experiencing divorce of parents). Even if the individual has experienced multiple events relating to one type, it only counts as one.

There are many other types of childhood trauma that greatly impact the young people reached by Community Houses that are not covered by the ACEs Questionnaire. Some examples include, but are not limited to:

• Racism

• Bullying

• Witnessing a sibling being abused

• Losing a caregiver (grandmother, mother, grandfather, etc.)

• Homelessness

• Surviving and recovering from a severe accident

• Witnessing a father being abused by a mother

• Witnessing a grandparent abusing a parent

• Involvement with the foster care system

• Involvement with the juvenile justice system