Here are links to backgrounders on the CDC's ACE Study, neurobiological research and epigenetics; the CDC's ACE Study publications; relevant neurobiological research; research on the biological effects of adverse childhood experiences; relevant epigenetic research; and research organizations.
This is just a beginning to a useful set of resources for ACEs Connection members. If you have other information you'd like to add to this resource page, please send a message to Jane Stevens, ACEsConnection manager.
Sections Index (scroll down to access):
- Backgrounders on the ACE Study
- Backgrounders on neurobiology
- Backgrounders on epigenetics
- ACE Study publications
- Other ACE studies/surveys
- General medical research
- Neurobiological research
- Biological effects of ACEs
- Epigenetic research
- Research organizations
- Resilience research
1. Backgrounders on the ACE Study, neurobiological research and epigenetics
ACE Study DVD - The video above is an introduction to a DVD that contains four hours of presentations by and interviews with Dr. Robert Anda and Dr. Vincent Felitti, co-founders of the ACE Study. The DVD also has an interview with Dr. David Williams, a CDC researcher who introduced Felitti to Anda, and also contributed to the project. All provide information about the genesis of the research, its findings, its impact, and how it might be implemented. Dr. Frank Putnam, a child psychiatrist and director of pediatrics at Cincinnati Children’s Hospital, provides his view of the impact of the research. A high-quality production, the DVD is divided into chapters. You can order it from the Academy on Violence and Abuse.
2. Neurobiology Backgrounders
Alberta Family Wellness Initiative's Brain Development & Addiction online learning modules. This is a very thorough set of modules that include text documents, presentations and videos. The modules include brain architecture & development; early experiences & gene expression; building cognitive, emotional and social capacities; positive, tolerable & toxic stress; brain plasticity & behavioural change; interventions & treatments in children's mental health; the development of addiction; different kinds of addiction; prevention, intervention & treatment of addiction; policy implications. Each of these modules has several parts. The Alberta Family Wellness Initiative focuses on the Canadian community; the modules draw from contributions of experts in Canada and the U.S., and its content is applicable in any country.
What is epigenetics? - Described by The Epigenome Network of Excellence, a European research network "dedicated to supporting high calibre science in the rapidly expanding field of epigenetics." How does epigenetics work? -- Check out this fabulous animation -- specifically the second part of the five-part explanation -- put together by the folks at NOVA, who produced an episode about epigenetics: Ghost in Your Genes. A shorter version is on NOVA's Science Now. The full BBC documentary can be viewed here.
4. ACE Study publications
ACE Study, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention - This link goes to the page where you can search the nearly 60 ACE publications by year published or by health outcome.
Adverse Childhood Experiences Data Links Trauma and Outcomes - The use of the ACE data by Washington State to develop community-based collaborative groups to focus services on areas most in need is described. Three-page brief from Alliance for Children and Families Magazine. (2012).
Got Your ACE Score? - The 10-question ACE survey, and an explanation of what it means, from ACEsTooHigh.com. Printer-friendly version here.
The Health and Social Consequences of Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACE) Across the Lifespan: An Introduction to Prevention and Intervention in the Community - (2012). Journal of Prevention & Intervention in the Community, 40(4).
The Effects of Childhood Stress on Health Across the Lifespan - An 18-page report about the ACE Study and childhood stress. Millowbrooks & Audage. (2008). U.S. Department of Health and Human Services / Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Adverse Childhood Experiences Associated with Behavioral Health Problems in Adolescents - This six-page report from Washington State demonstrates the use of state administrative data to measure adverse childhood experiences (ACEs), and to quantify associations between these experiences and behavioral health problems identified during adolescence.
National Library of Medicine/PubMed - List of scientific literature on The Adverse Childhood Experiences Study.
5. Other ACE studies/surveys
Adverse Childhood Events and Current Depressive Symptoms Among Women in Hawaii: 2010 BRFSS, Hawaii - Abstract. Remigio-Baker, et al. (2013). Maternal and Child Health Journal.
Adverse Childhood Experiences International Questionnaire (ACE-IQ) - World Health Organization ACE questionnaire and accompanying materials. See also: ACE Global Research Network.
Adverse childhood experiences: retrospective study to determine their impact on adult health behaviours and health outcomes in a UK population - Bellis, et al. (Apr. 2013). Journal of Public Health (Oxf). Article.
Adverse Experiences: Indicators on Children & Youth - Child Trends. (2013). Executive Summary.
Crittenton Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACE) Pilot, Summary of Results - The National Crittenton Foundation. (2012).
The impact of adverse childhood experiences on an urban pediatric population (full text) - Burke, et al. (Jun. 2011). Child Abuse & Neglect, 35(6):408-13. doi: 10.1016/j.chiabu.2011.02.006.
Modeling the Relationship between Child Abuse and Long-Term Health Care Costs and Wellbeing: Results from an Australian Community-Based Survey - Reeve & van Gool. (Jun. 2013). Economic Record. Article.
National Survey of Child and Adolescent Well-Being (NSCAW), No. 20: Adverse Child Experiences in NSCAW - US Dept. of Health & Human Services. (2013).
Philadelphia Urban ACE Survey (Press Release Summary) - Davis, M. (May 2013). Pennsylvania: Institute for Safe Families.
Self-Rated Health and Association with ACEs (full text) - Waite, et al. (2013). Journal of Behavioral Health.
Survey of Adverse Childhood Experiences among Romanian university students Study Report from the 2012 Survey - A survey on adverse childhood experiences (ACE) was conducted on a representative sample of 2088 young adults (1343 females, and 745 males) from 17 public universities in Romania. The aim of the study was to assess the prevalence of ACE in Romania, and to identify relationships between exposure to ACE and health risk behaviors, and health outcomes. Baban, et al. (2013). World Health Organization.
Survey of adverse childhood experiences in the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia - This survey of adverse childhood experiences was undertaken in 1277 students aged over 18 years from a representative sample of high schools and universities in the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia. Raleva, et al (Eds). (2013). World Health Organization.
6. General medical research
National Library of Medicine/PubMed - List of scientific literature on adverse childhood experiences.
National Library of Medicine/PubMed - List of scientific literature on trauma-informed care/practices.
National Library of Medicine/PubMed - List of scientific literature on adverse childhood experiences, child abuse, child maltreatment, or adverse life events.
7. Neurobiological research
Adverse childhood experiences, allostasis, allostatic load, and age-related disease - Danese & McEwen. (2011). Physiology & Behavior, 106(1):29-39.
Adverse Childhood Experiences and Adult Risk Factors for Age-Related Disease: Depression, Inflammation, and Clustering of Metabolic Risk Markers - Danese, et al. (2009, December). Arch Pediatr Adolesc Med., 163(12):1135-1143.
The enduring effects of abuse and related adverse experiences in childhood. A convergence of evidence from neurobiology and epidemiology. Anda, Felitti, et al. (2006). Eur Arch Psychiatry Clin Neurosci., 256(3):174–186.
National Library of Medicine/PubMed - List of scientific literature on ACEs and neurobiology.
Additional resources on Adverse Childhood Experiences and neurobiology
8. Biological effects of ACEs
The embodiment of adverse childhood experiences and cancer development: potential biological mechanisms and pathways across the life course - Kelly-Irving, et al. (2012, May 16). International Journal of Public Health.
Stress: The roots of resilience - Hughes, V. (2012). Nature, 490(7419).
Exposure to violence during childhood is associated with telomere erosion from 5 to 10 years of age: a longitudinal study - Shalev, et al. (2012). Molecular Psychiatry
Social Adversity in Adolescence Increases the Physiological Vulnerability to Job Strain in Adulthood: A Prospective Population-Based Study - Westerlund, et al. (2012, April 25). PLoS ONE, 7(4):e35967.
Accelerated telomere shortening in response to life stress - Epel, et al. (2004). Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America, 101(49).
Study uncovers cost of resiliency in kids [article] - Brody, et al. (May 2013). Is Resilience Only Skin Deep? Rural African Americans’ Socioeconomic Status–Related Risk and Competence in Preadolescence and Psychological Adjustment and Allostatic Load at Age 19. Psychological Science, 24(5). Abstract.
National Library of Medicine/PubMed - List of scientific literature on ACEs and biology.
Additional resources on Adverse Childhood Experiences and biology
9. Epigenetic research
Brain on stress: How the social environment gets under the skin - McKwen, BS. (2012, October 8). Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America.
Biological memory of childhood maltreatment: current knowledge and recommendations for future research. Schury & Kolassa. (2012). Ann N Y Acad Sci.;1262:93-100. doi: 10.1111/j.1749-6632.2012.06617.x.
Epigenetic Risk Factors in PTSD and Depression - Identification of early-life stress-associated epigenetic risk markers informing on previous stress history can help to advance early diagnosis, personalized prevention, and timely therapeutic interventions, thus reducing long-term social and health costs. Raabe & Spengler. (2013). Frontiers in Psychiatry.
Exposure to stress even before conception causes genetic changes to offspring - Zaidan, et al. (2013). Biological Psychiatry. Abstract.
Additional resources on Adverse Childhood Experiences and epigenetics
10. Research organizations
Center on the Developing Child - Harvard University
Institute on Trauma and Trauma-Informed Care - University of Buffalo School of Social Work
National Child Traumatic Stress Network (NCTSN) - Resources & information. Free membership. Many documents require log-on.
The Trauma Center at Justice Resource Institute
International Society for Traumatic Stress Studies
11. Resilience research
Child and Family Resilience: A Call for Integrated Science, Practice, and Professional Training -- Ann Masten and Amy Monn describe components of an integrated approach to child and family resilience, highlighting examples from recent research, and discuss implications for research, practice, and professional training. Science and practice focused on child resilience and family resilience have deep and intertwined roots, yet there have been surprisingly few efforts to systematically integrate the theory, findings, and implications of these two traditions of work. In this article, the authors discuss parallels in concepts and processes that link the sciences of child and family resilience and the potential of relational developmental systems theory to provide an integrative framework for understanding and promoting resilience in children and families. Published in Family Relations: Interdisciplinary Journal of Applied Family Studies.
In Brief: The Science of Resilience -- Reducing the effects of significant adversity on young children’s healthy development is critical to the progress and prosperity of any society. Yet not all children experience lasting harm as a result of adverse early experiences. Some may demonstrate “resilience,” or an adaptive response to serious hardship. A better understanding of why some children do well despite early adversity is important because it can help us design policies and programs that help more children reach their full potential. This brief provides an overview of Supportive Relationships and Active Skill-Building Strengthen the Foundations of Resilience, a Working Paper by the National Scientific Council on the Developing Child.
Reflections on Rising Above: Resilience in Former Foster Youth
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