“Homeless youth services aiming to identify youth with mental health needs should screen for both childhood abuse histories as well as street victimization experiences, and, when abuse/victimization is reported, a more thorough assessment should occur.” [1]

Adverse Childhood Experiences

Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) have been defined as stressful experiences occurring during childhood that directly impact a child or affect the family environment in which they live. Toxic stress from ACEs can change brain development and affect how the body responds to stress.[2] ACEs are linked to chronic health problems, mental illness, and substance misuse in adulthood. Over 32 million youth (45%) under the age of 17 have experienced at least one ACE in the United States.[3] Almost all youth with one or more ACEs report experiencing these stressful events before the age of 14. Youth who experience homelessness have particularly high rates of ACEs and related cumulative psychosocial risk. 

Some examples include:

  • experience of violence, abuse, or neglect
  • witnessing violence in the home or community
  • having a family member attempt or die by suicide

Also included are aspects of the child’s environment that can undermine their sense of safety, stability, and bonding, such as growing up in a household with:

  • substance use disorders
  • mental health challenges
  • instability due to parental separation or household members being in jail or prison

ACEs put individuals at risk for adverse health outcomes. Including:

  • 2.4 times more likely to have a stroke
  • 1.9 times more likely to have cancer
  • 12 times more likely to attempt suicide
  • 7 times more likely to abuse alcohol

Understanding the impact ACEs have on individuals, assists organizations in serving youth and providing individualized services using a trauma-informed care approach.

References

1.Bender, K., Ferguson, K., Thompson, S., Komlo, C., & Pollio, D. (2010). Factors associated with trauma and posttraumatic stress disorder among homeless youth in three U.S. cities: The importance of transience.Journal of Traumatic Stress, 23(1), 161–168.

2.Preventing Adverse Childhood Experiences. (2021, August 23). Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. https://www.cdc.gov/vitalsigns/aces/index.html#:%7E:text=ACEs%20can%20include%20violence%2C%20abuse,and%20substance%20misuse%20in%20adulthood.

3. Barnes, A. J., Gower, A. L., Sajady, M., & Lingras, K. A. (2021). Health and adverse childhood experiences among homeless youth. BMC Pediatrics, 21(1). https://doi.org/10.1186/s12887-021-02620-4