Adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) include neglect, household dysfunction and physical or emotional abuse. These events are among those described by the World Health Organisation as the most common childhood stressors whilst growing up. Although many people are exposed to at least one form of ACE without developing negative health outcomes, recent evidence suggests that those exposed to multiple ACEs are more likely to experience health inequalities in later life, including chronic pain.
The CDC-Kaiser Permanente Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACE) Study is one of the largest investigations of childhood abuse and neglect, and later-life health and wellbeing. The study had 17,337 participants studied over a lifespan. Almost two-thirds of the study’s participants reported experiences at least one ACE, while more than one in five (20%) reported three or more ACEs.
ACEs have a significant impact on adult physical and mental health. The adverse childhood experiences reported in the ACE study were:
- Emotional Abuse (11%)
- Physical Abuse (28%)
- Sexual Abuse (22%)
- Emotional Neglect (15%)
- Physical Neglect (10%)
- Parental Substance Misuse (27%)
- Loss of One Parent Before 18 Years (23%)
- Depression or Mental Illness in The Home (17%)
- Domestic Abuse (13%)
- Parental Imprisonment (5%)
Children exposed to several ACEs are likely to have more health problems in later life, including chronic pain. Although there is good evidence that ACEs contribute to health inequalities, screening for ACEs is limited.
Through CAPE’s research, we aim to identify a relationship between ACEs and vulnerability to chronic pain.