Positive Childhood Experiences May Buffer Against Health Effects Of Adverse Ones

Dr. Christina Bethell, one of our ACE Interface Master Trainers here in Maryland, was interviewed on NPR recently about her latest research - Positive Childhood Experiences and Adult Mental and Relational Health in a Statewide Sample: Associations Across Adverse Childhood Experiences Levels (link to full study).

Below is an excerpt from the NPR interview:

Numerous studies have shown that the more negative childhood experiences adults report when they reflect back on their life, the more likely they are to have an array of physical, mental and social problems as an adult. We often call these adverse childhood experiences, or ACEs. They include things like physical and emotional abuse, neglect, sexual abuse, having lived in a home with an adult with an alcohol or drug problem or where there was violence.

We were especially curious to learn whether adults with multiple negative childhood experiences were less likely to have the problems associated with having [them] if they also reported having had more positive experiences.

You can listen to the 4 minute interview and read the full article here: 
https://www.npr.org/sections/health-shots/2019/09/09/759031061/positive-childhood-experiences-may-buffer-against-health-effects-of-adverse-ones.