Document Type

Contribution to Book

Publication Date

2021

Abstract

It was in the late 1990’s that the original Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs- https:// www.cdc.gov/violenceprevention/aces/index.html) study through CDC-Kaiser Permanente was done. This groundbreaking research opened the door to the reality that childhood and household challenges, including but not limited to abuse, neglect and even divorce, can dramatically impact a person’s health and well-being throughout life. Much work has been done since 1997 to further study and subsequently reduce ACEs’ impact, but the sad truth is that although much effort has been put forth to combat adverse experiences, ACEs are still very prevalent today and even our own congregations are touched. Notwithstanding that this study was done in the United States, the implications from it are transferable into all areas around the globe and give us reason to pause. So, can ACEs be reduced? This is clearly the goal and should be emphasized and tirelessly worked towards. However, considering the difficult state of our world, we would like to suggest that our focus should also be on lessening the impact of ACEs by buffering these negative experiences with intentional positive ones. “Research demonstrates that both positive and adverse experiences shape brain development and health across the life span.” (Bethell, Jones, Gombojav, Linkenbach, & Sege, 2019) In a study that used data accumulated by the 2015 Wisconsin Behavioral Risk Factor Survey, the researchers concluded that “assessing and proactively promoting PCEs [Positive Childhood Experiences] may reduce adult mental and relational health problems, even in the concurrent presence of ACEs.” (Bethell, Jones, Gombojav, Linkenbach, & Sege, 2019). This chapter will briefly discuss the seven positive childhood experiences suggested by the forementioned researchers and published by the Journal of American Medical Association Pediatric applying them specifically within our Seventh-day Adventist context. It is our hope that as Christians the clarity of the connection to our faith practices will further a sense of refocus and energy into our intentionality of implementation.

First Page

124

Last Page

127

Book Title

I will Go with My Family: Family Resilience

Editor

Willie Oliver & Elaine Oliver

Publisher

Review & Herald

City

Silver Spring, MD

ISBN

9780828028899

First Department

Social Work

Acknowledgements

Open access chapter retrieved August 3, 2022 from https://family.adventist.org/resources/resource-book/2022rb/#translations

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