what recent research tells us about overcoming … · adverse childhood experiences study household...
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WHAT RECENT RESEARCH TELLS
US ABOUT OVERCOMING
ADVERSITY
Childaware Conference
Melbourne, March 31 – April 1, 2014
Howard Bath
Children’s Commissioner, Northern Territory
Adverse Childhood Experiences Study
Household DysfunctionSubstance abuse
Parental separation/divorce
Mental illness
Domestic violence
Criminal Behavior
AbusePsychological
Physical
Sexual
NeglectEmotional
Physical
Ace Study
Dose-Response Findings
4
0%
2%
4%
6%
8%
10%
12%
14%
16%
18%
0 1 2 3 4
% R
epo
ritn
g A
lco
ho
lism
ACE Score
We found a strong graded relationship between the
breadth of exposure to abuse or household dysfunction
during childhood and multiple risk factors …in adults Adapted from Felitti, VJ, Anda, RF et al (1998)
5
0%
5%
10%
15%
20%
25%
30%
35%
40%
0 1 2 3 4
% R
ep
ori
tng
IV D
rug
Use
ACE Score
0%
2%
4%
6%
8%
10%
12%
14%
16%
18%
20%
0 1 2 3 4%
Eve
r A
ttem
pti
ng
Suic
ide
ACE Score
Source: Adapted from Felitti, VJ, Anda, RF et al (1998)
Ace Study
Dose-Response Findings
6
0%
10%
20%
30%
40%
50%
60%
70%
0 1 2 3 ≥4
% L
ifet
ime
His
tory
of
De
pre
ssio
n
ACE Score
Women
Men
Ace Study
Dose-Response Findings
A significant proportion
of physical, social, and
moral disorder lies in
the direct and indirect
exposure to external
traumatogenic agents.
Bloom & Farragher
The question is
not “What is
wrong with
you?” …but
“What has
happened to
you?”
Sandra Bloom
Traumatized children reset
their normal level of arousal.
Even when no external
threats exist, they are
in a persistent state
of alarm.
Bruce Perry
• social skills and
attachment
• biological systems
and medical issues
• regulation of
emotions/impulses
• dissociation
• behavioural control
• cognitive functioning
• self-concept, shame
and guilt
• future orientation
TRAUMA AFFECTS…
Michael Rutter on Resilience
The ‘steeling’ power of trauma
Helpful ways of thinking – self belief
Turning point effects
Social connections
40% - Characteristics of child and
environment
15% - Hope, expectations
15% - Technique
30% - Nature of the connection (warmth, acceptance, empathy)
Asay & Lambert
Connecting for Change
Healing relationships
need not always
involve psychotherapy.
Many people recover
from trauma exposure
…in the context of
family, friendships, and
other relationships.
Briere & Scott
Parents, counselors,
teachers, coaches,
direct-care workers,
case managers, and
others are all in a
position to help a
child heal.
Greenwald
‘The more
healthy
relationships a
child has, the
more likely he
will be to recover
from trauma and
thrive...
Relationships are
the agents of
change.’
Perry & Szalavitz.
History, despite its wrenching pain, cannot be unlived, but if faced with courage, need not be lived again Maya Angelou