Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACES)

Maternal ACEs

Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) encompass various forms of physical and emotional abuse, neglect, and household dysfunction experienced in childhood. ACEs have been linked to premature death as well as to various health conditions, including those of mental disorders.

The Policy Center for Maternal Mental Health is committed to promoting and understanding the bi-directional relationship between maternal mental health and ACEs.

To that end, the following resources are being shared.

Maternal Mental Health: The first ACE

June 3, 2021

Maternal mental health can be thought of as the “first ACE” which then cascades into physical and mental illness in the child and family for generations, playing a role in the perinatal physical health outcomes of both moms and their babies. In this webinar, learn about the ACEs Movement, Disparities in ACE rates and outcomes, how CA’s Surgeon General has prioritized ACE screening and the research explaining why PACEs is the adopted term in the ACEs movement.

Addressing ACEs During Reproductive Years

The reproductive years—before, during, and after pregnancy—provide a critical window to disrupt intergenerational cycles of trauma and promote long-term well-being. Supporting individuals during this time can improve maternal and infant health, strengthen family stability, and lay the foundation for healthier communities. The office of the California Surgeon General has put together resources to address ACEs during reproductive years.

Mental Health Resource: Urgent. Related. Preventable

Adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) can impact the way a child’s brain develops and have serious impacts on lifelong health. ACEs are associated with at least five of the 10 leading causes of death, including suicide and drug use, misuse, and overdose. By understanding and addressing these urgent, related, and preventable issues in the context of each other, we can prevent exposure and harm to future generations. Learn more at the American Public Health Association (APHA) and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) website, Urgent Related Preventable.

Addressing Adverse Childhood and Adult Experiences During Prenatal Care

Adverse childhood and adult experiences can affect health outcomes throughout life and across generations. The perinatal period offers a critical opportunity for obstetric clinicians to partner with patients to provide support and improve outcomes. This article draws on stakeholder input, expert opinion, and available evidence to provide recommendations for obstetric clinicians’ inquiry about and response to pregnant patients’ past and present adversity and trauma during prenatal care encounters.

Total annual costs attributable to ACEs

Estimated to be US $581 billion in Europe and $748 billion in North America.
More than 75% of these costs arose in individuals with two or more ACEs.

PACEs not ACEs

“P” is added to ACEs as Positive not just Adverse experiences play a role in resilience.

HOPE Resilience Framework

The 4 Building Blocks of HOPE for Families

The 4 Building Blocks of HOPE for Medical Providers

HOPE-Informed Checklist for Decision Making

Learn more about ACEs/PACEs in the online ACEs Community

California’s ACEs Aware – CA’s Movement for ACEs Screening and Support

Tennessee’s ACE Public-Private Partnership Case Study

Trauma-informed Care: Recognizing and Resisting Re-traumatization in Health Care

Trauma is often viewed as an individual or interpersonal issue. This paper expands the definition of trauma to include the impact of collective and structural elements on health and well-being. The need for a trauma-informed response is demonstrated, with instruction as to how to implement this type of care in order to resist re-traumatization. Three examples from healthcare settings across the nation are provided, to demonstrate the ways in which organizations are bringing forward this patient-centered, trauma-informed approach to care.

Mothers’ Difficult Childhoods Impact Their Children’s Mental Health

Health (NIH) – The researchers found that maternal experiences of childhood neglect were associated with worse mental health (reflecting higher levels of anxiety and …

Adverse Childhood Experiences and Maternal Anxiety and Depression: a Meta-analysis

The Impact of Maternal Adverse Childhood Experiences on Offspring’s Internalizing and Externalizing Problems

Adverse Childhood Experiences Prevention Policy Toolkit

Trauma-Informed Care Infographic