Adverse childhood experiences research: commonalities with similar, arguably identical, literatures and the need for integration

Abstract

Adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) and their impact cannot be clearly distinguished from other distressing life experiences. Much can be therefore be learned by integrating ACEs research with similar, well-established literatures. Future research needs to explain individual differences in relationships between ACEs and particular variables and locate reliable and strong risk factors for ACEs themselves.

Keywords: Post-traumatic stress disorder; adverse childhood experiences (ACEs); bereavement; risk factor; trauma.