ACE Study: childhood trauma and adult health

The ACE study (Felitti et al.) showed a dose-response relationship between childhood traumas and risk of disease in adulthood.

The ACE (Adverse Childhood Experiences) study, conducted by Vincent Felitti and Robert Anda with 17,000 Kaiser Permanente participants, established a dose-response relationship between childhood trauma and chronic disease in adulthood.

Ten categories of adverse experiences were identified: emotional, physical, and sexual abuse; emotional and physical neglect; mother treated violently; household substance abuse; household mental illness; parental separation or divorce; household member incarcerated.

Each additional ACE increased risk for depression, suicide attempts, alcoholism, heart disease, cancer, and premature death. A person with 4+ ACEs was 12 times more likely to attempt suicide.

The study transformed clinical practice: ACE screening was adopted by healthcare systems worldwide and propelled the 'trauma-informed care' approach in mental health, education, and criminal justice.

Significance: This is one of the most significant developments in the psychology of our time. Its repercussions continue to be felt years later and have fundamentally changed how we understand the human mind and clinical practice.