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Review
. 2024 Feb;63(1):619-639.
doi: 10.1007/s10943-023-01928-y. Epub 2023 Oct 13.

Conceptualizing the Biopsychosocial-Spiritual Health Influences of Adverse Childhood Experiences and the Application of Primary Care Behavioral Health for Their Treatment

Zachary W Cooper  1 , Terry A Wolfer  2
Affiliations
Review

Conceptualizing the Biopsychosocial-Spiritual Health Influences of Adverse Childhood Experiences and the Application of Primary Care Behavioral Health for Their Treatment

Zachary W Cooper et al. J Relig Health. 2024 Feb.

Abstract

Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) are common and affect the overall functioning of adults, but there is a need to understand how to better address the health impact of ACEs on adults in primary healthcare settings. A narrative review was utilized to extract data from seminal articles to (1) operationalize the influence of ACEs on health outcomes, (2) assess the primary care behavioral health (PCBH) model as a mechanism to address the influence of ACEs, and (3) identify mechanisms to expand the PCBH model to explicitly address spiritual determinants of health. The extracted data revealed that ACEs influence the biological, psychological, social, and spiritual health of patients providing a rationale for integrating psychosocial and spiritual treatment within primary healthcare settings. Simultaneously, the PCBH model integrates psychosocial interventions into existing primary care services but does not explicitly address spiritual determinants. Recommendations for expansion include (1) training for clinicians on evidence-based interventions to address spirituality, (2) spiritual screening tools in PCBH settings, and (3) consultation with chaplains as needed.

Keywords: Adverse childhood experiences (ACEs); Integrated behavioral health; Mental health; Primary care; Spirituality; Whole person care.

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