Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACE)

Adverse Childhood Experiences (Felitti & Anda, ACE Study, 1998) — 10 items about severe experiences before age 18: physical, emotional, and sexual abuse; emotional and physical neglect; domestic violence in the household; divorce/absence of a parent; mental illness/suicide in the household; substance dependence in the household; incarceration of a household member. It's not a diagnosis but an index of accumulated early load — one of the most studied risk factors for physical and mental health in adult life. Trauma-informed therapy works precisely with this background.

Before you start

This is an index of early load, not a diagnosis or a sentence. A high score means an elevated risk, not inevitability — the link between ACEs and health is mediated by adult factors (support, therapy, regulation skills). The questions may bring up strong feelings; you can stop at any moment. It's best to fill it out in a safe setting; with a high score — discuss it with a psychologist.