What Research Says About Childhood Trauma, (ACEs)
Adverse Childhood Experiences Explained
Adverse Childhood Experiences, often called ACEs, refer to a range of negative and harmful experiences children may face, like abuse, neglect, and dysfunction in the home.
Dysregulation, Negative Stress, and Biological Consequences
Assistant Professor Dr. Eraina Schauss of the University of Memphis Department of Counseling, Educational Psychology, and Research describes a dose-effect concept and explains a correlation between adverse childhood experiences and problem behaviors or physical conditions.
According to Dr. Nadine Burke Harris, California's Surgeon General, "when we are exposed to scary things, especially as children, it activates our bodies’ natural fight or flight response"(Harris, 2018). Harris states that the problem is when this natural response goes from life-saving to maladaptive and life-damaging.
Harris explains that the issue is not the stressor but the body's natural stress response. There are positive stress responses when you have a big basketball game or an important presentation. The negative stress responses like natural disasters and abuse lead to medical issues like developmental regression. "These inflammatory stress hormones that get triggered in our early childhood flood the child's body and brain and alter the genes. There is an epigenetic change, and that leads to stress reactivity...this leads to autoimmune disorders like cancer, heart disease, COPD, all of these major public health issues are related to adversity in childhood" (Schuas, 2017). The index below illustrates the possible timeline following adversity an individual might experience:
Index 1: Colorado Professional Development Center, 2015
A critical study to mention Harris' team conducted that will help put these facts into perspective. Harris examined a randomized control trial with children exposed to multiple negative stress situations/maltreatment and children with nurturing relationships. Harris states:
They randomized them to high quality and nurturing relationship or care as usual. They did MRIs on these kids to see the difference in their age development. They were randomized at age two. By age eight, the children who had been receiving high-quality, nurturing relationships literally had changes in their brain structure measurable in an MRI. When we are talking about healing relationships as an antidote to toxic stress, I'm not just talking about it making you feel better, I'm saying it literally leads to brain changes and structure.
Dr. Nadine Burke Harris, 2018
Methods on Remedying
Harris explained that the cure for these negative stress responses is safe, stable relationships. The lacking of those is what leads to long-term health issues. Interestingly enough, what makes the most significant difference in these negative stress responses is "mindfulness, mental health, and healthy relationships" (Harris, 2018). She concluded that the difference between tolerable and toxic stress is a safe and nurturing caregiver.
Attachment
Dr. Dan Siegel delivers a beautiful way to view attachment and caregiving. Dr. Siegel is a psychiatrist and scientist trained in attachment theory and research. He studies developmental psychology and how parent-child interactions shape a child. He developed 4 S's of attachment, which are as follows:
1. Seen - perceiving them deeply and empathically — sensing the mind behind their behavior
2. Safe - avoid actions and responses that frighten or hurt them
3. Soothed - helping them deal with difficult emotions and situations
4. Secure - helping them develop a internalized sense of well-being
Dr. Dan Siegal & Dr. Tina Payne Bryson, 2011
Universal Screening and Early Intervention of ACEs.
Harris explains, "there is a straightforward mechanism by which we can dramatically mitigate the impact of adverse childhood experiences and toxic stress. And that is, all of the data tells us that early intervention improves outcomes" (Harris, 2018). Harris calls for every pediatrician in America to screen for ACEs as part of a routine physical examination.
F.A.C.E. your ACE
F (family of origin)
A (attachment awareness)
C (coherent narrative)
E (experiences & emotional regulation)
Schauss, 2017
Schauss explains that ACEs are often intergenerational. To stop the transfer of intergenerational ACEs is to understand our family of origin and really grasp and understand what happened to us as children. We should also understand how our attachments are replicated in relationships with children, process our story through building a robust and coherent narrative, and use techniques that engage the right hemisphere that focuses on building resilience (Schauss, 2017).
Schauss explains that relationships actually CHANGE the structure of the brain. As mentioned earlier, ACEs change the brain's design, and this is even seen in MRIs. Thankfully, relationships and mindfulness can cure some effects adversities may have on us.
There is a lot more research on ACEs and their impacts on us. Caregivers, mental health workers, and parents should understand how to prevent ACEs in early childhood and remedy them after ACEs have already occurred.
Citations
Weinhold, J. (2018, July 24). The effects of adverse childhood experiences. CoProfDevCenter. https://coprofdevcenter.org/the-long-term-effects-of-adverse-childhood-experiences/References
Schauss, E. (2017, April 11). Adverse Childhood Experiences: What Science Tells Us and How to Foster Resilience [Video]. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=18G9F2WcQ2U
University of Memphis
Burke Harris, N. (2018, March 28). DR. NADINE BURKE HARRIS: HEALING THE LONG-TERM EFFECTS OF CHILDHOOD ADVERSITY [Video]. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MDTW89Ycxw0&t=3116s
Commonwealth
Seigal, D. J., & Bryson, T. P. (2010). THE POWER OF SHOWING UP. Dr. Dan Siegel Dr. Dan Siegel. https://drdansiegel.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/POSU-Refrigerator-Sheet.pdf
The Whole-Brain Child: 12 Revolutionary Strategies to Nurture Your Child's Developing Mind October 4, 2011. by Daniel J. Siegel, Tina Payne Bryson.