Adverse Childhood Experiences Can Have Lifelong Effect on Mental Health
Following a review of data from two longitudinal studies, researchers report that kids who experience four or more adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) are 2.65 times more likely to be diagnosed with depression in adulthood. Examples of ACEs include abuse (physical, sexual, emotional); neglect (physical, emotional); witnessing domestic violence, substance abuse, or mental illness in the household; and the loss of a parent (separation, divorce, incarceration, death). Journal of Affective Disorders, February 2023