Articles on Adverse childhood experiences

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Difficult experiences you had as a child may be putting a wedge between you and your partner. Dmytro Betsenko/Moment via Getty Images

Childhood experiences of LGBTQ+ stigma can harm romantic relationships decades later – psychologists explain how to reconnect with yourself and your partner

Melissa Gates, Binghamton University, State University of New York and Christina Balderrama-Durbin, Binghamton University, State University of New York

Guilt and shame from being rejected, discriminated against or bullied as a child can carry into adulthood. But making meaning from these experiences can help with healing.
Toxic stress increases the risks for obesity, diabetes, depression and other illnesses. Klaus Vedfelt/Digital Vision via Getty Images

How much stress is too much? A psychiatrist explains the links between toxic stress and poor health − and how to get help

Lawson R. Wulsin, University of Cincinnati

No one can escape stress, but sometimes it takes a physical and emotional toll that translates to disease and other health effects. The good news is that there are new approaches to treating it.
Students’ lockers are seen an elementary school in Toronto on Jan. 9, 2024. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Chris Young

Trauma‑informed approaches to discipline matter for equitable and safe schooling

Jane E. Sanders, Western University; Andrea Joseph-McCatty, University of Tennessee, and Michael Massey, Catholic University of America

Additional research and attention is needed — particularly in Canada — to provide schools with evidence-based, trauma-informed and culturally attuned approaches to school discipline.
Children and youth in care often have complex health and social issues, but they often struggle to access comprehensive health care. (Shutterstock)

We know better, so why aren’t we doing better in supporting the health of children and youth in care?

Kristyn Anderson, Dalhousie University; Alyson Holland, Dalhousie University; Jacquie Gahagan, Mount Saint Vincent University; Steven Smith, Saint Mary’s University; Tania Wong, Dalhousie University, and Tonya Grant, Dalhousie University

Children and youth in care are more likely to have experienced trauma that can affect future health. A comprehensive, trauma-informed health strategy for these children and youth is long overdue.
Recent advances in research on human development, and brain science in particular, have revealed that traumatic childhood literally changes the human body, affecting brain development. (Shutterstock)

There is an urgent need to prevent the lifelong damage caused by adverse childhood experiences

Wolfgang Linden, University of British Columbia and Joelle LeMoult, University of British Columbia

The impact of early childhood trauma on lifelong physical and mental health makes it urgent to invest in programs to support healthy pregnancies and stable, caring very early childhoods.
Exposure to adverse childhood experiences, as well as disparities in social determinants of health, can significantly affect development and health in children. (Shutterstock)

How health care can respond to the lifelong impact of adverse childhood experiences

Qaasim Mian, University of Alberta

Adverse childhood experiences like abuse, neglect and dysfunction at home may not seem like primarily medical problems, but they have significant and enduring impact on physical and mental health.
One child in three is physically or sexually abused or witnesses violence between adults in their home. Other adversities including emotional neglect, living in an unsafe neighbourhood or experiencing prejudice and bullying are even more common. (iStock)

Childhood adversity is a ‘cause of causes’ of adult illnesses and mental health problems

Robert Maunder, University of Toronto and Jon Hunter, University of Toronto

One in three children experiences abuse or neglect. These adverse events increase lifelong risks for chronic diseases and mental health issues, creating a public health hazard hiding in plain sight.
Courts have failed to understand the role childhood trauma can play in adult criminal behaviour. (Shutterstock)

Criminal justice needs a better understanding of childhood trauma

Gina Wong, Athabasca University

The execution of Lisa Montgomery in the U.S. earlier this year demonstrates how society misunderstands the effects of mental illness and trauma on criminal behaviour.

Related Topics

  1. Abuse
  2. ACES
  3. Adverse childhood events
  4. Childhood trauma
  5. Children
  6. Mental health
  7. Neglect
  8. Poverty
  9. Stress
  10. Trauma

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