Violence and Public and Personal Health: Outcomes of Adverse Childhood Experiences

Adverse childhood experiences include direct abuse, such as emotional, physical, or sexual abuse; neglect, which can be emotional or physical; and family or household problems. Exposure to violence is one of several types of adverse childhood experiences that can affect individuals for the rest of their lives. The effects of exposure to violence during childhood include associated physical and mental health conditions, as well as concerns about involvement in intimate partner violence in adulthood. Family physicians can aid in the prevention of and response to adverse childhood experiences in several ways. On an individual level, they can assess patients for such experiences and provide trauma-informed care. They also can educate children and their parents and caregivers about exposure to violence and adverse childhood experiences. On a societal level, they can advocate for safer media, communities, schools, and home environments for children and adolescents. Early results of studies of physician education in this area have yielded promising results.