by Megan Byers
Researchers determined that 10 specific traumatic childhood experiences, or ACEs, could be linked to a higher likelihood of health challenges later in life, and that the likelihood of these negative effects increased with the number of “ACEs” a child experienced. The 10 ACEs were defined as the following childhood experiences:
Physical, sexual or verbal abuse
Physical or emotional neglect
Separation or divorce
A family member with mental illness
A family member addicted to drugs or alcohol
A family member who is in prison
Witnessing a parent being abused