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36 May 26 • 2016
he definition of child abuse, as
least one adverse childhood experience
defined by the U.S. Department and, of those, 87 percent reported two
of Health and Human Services
or more.
is: any act or failure to act on the part
The number of ACEs showed a
of a parent or caretaker that results in
direct correlation to poor physical and
death, serious physical or emotional
mental health outcomes in adulthood.
harm, sexual abuse or exploitation of
As the number of ACEs increase, so
a child.
do the risks for alcoholism and alcohol
Some of these actions are definitive
abuse, chronic obstructive pulmonary
and easily identifiable, but others, like
disease, depression, health-related
emotional harm, are less obvious and
quality of life, illicit drug use, ischemic
open to interpretation.
heart disease and liver disease. This
For many of us, the effects
also includes increased risk
of childhood abuse are life-
for financial stress, domestic
long. Child abuse leaves us
abuse, poor academic achieve-
with beliefs about ourselves
ment and suicide attempts.
that prevent us from living life
The ACE test is easily acces-
to our full potential. When we
sible online at www.acestudy.
believe that we are not good
org, and many other websites.
enough, that we don’t matter
The results have been repli-
or that we are a disappoint-
cated in many studies across
ment, our actions reflect those Ellen
the U.S. The study reveals that
beliefs in several ways.
many commonly occurring
Yashinsky
For some of us, our actions Chute
family behaviors and commu-
are attempts to negate those
nication styles are damaging,
beliefs by trying to prove
with life-altering consequenc-
our worthiness. For others,
es for our children.
our actions unconsciously reinforce
Another important finding of the
our beliefs through self-sabotage or
study is that a high ACE score does
self-criticism. For many of us, the
not necessarily mean poor outcomes
belief that we are not good enough is
for the child. Some children are more
so painful that we must adapt coping
resilient. This can be a result of their
mechanisms to numb the pain. There
genetics or the presence of positive,
is a broad array of these coping mech- affirming relationships that counteract
anisms, from using drugs or alcohol,
the adverse experiences.
to compulsive shopping or compulsive
What does the ACE study mean
sexual behaviors. Workaholism, per-
for us as individuals? As parents, are
fectionism and overachieving can also
we respectful and validating to our
be pain-numbing.
children? As grandparents, are we
In my work as a psychotherapist,
an affirming presence in the lives of
I help my clients gain awareness of
our grandchildren? As aunts, uncles,
their leftover childhood beliefs and
teachers, mentors, neighbors, do we
the impact these beliefs have on their
show respect to others, most espe-
lives. Many people who suffer with
cially children? It is easy to fall prey to
negative beliefs about themselves do
our own negative belief systems and
so in isolation because they don’t think become critical or judgmental. Now
others have similar experiences. We
that we know the consequences, we
now know that is incorrect.
must try harder.
Between 1995 and 1997, over 17,000
Understanding the ACE Study and
Kaiser Permanente health plan mem-
its conclusions is empowering. The
bers voluntarily participated in a study data tell us what we can do to create
to find out how their stressful or trau-
trauma-informed families and com-
matic childhood experiences affected
munities, where all people, children
their physical health as adults. The
and adults can live in safety and
instrument used in the study is the
love. When all children can reach
Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACE) their full potential, the limits are
questionnaire. The test is composed of boundless for our Jewish and greater
10 questions that assess for childhood
communities.
abuse or neglect and family dysfunc-
Ellen Yashinksy Chute is the chief community
tion. Approximately two-thirds of the
outreach officer at Jewish Family Service.
respondents in the study reported at
*