Adverse Childhood Experiences and distress Sample Clauses

Adverse Childhood Experiences and distress. Similarly, the relationship between ACEs and distress may also be explained by the extensive body of literature that suggests a link between adverse childhood experiences and later psychological distress (x.x. Xxxxxxxxx & Xxxx, 2005; Xxxxxx, Xxxxxxxx & Xxx Xxxxxxxx, 2009). In a review of 12 ACEs with first onset of 20 DSM-IV disorders across 21 countries, Xxxxxxx et al. (2009) found that childhood adversities were highly prevalent and interrelated and were associated with maladaptive family functioning (e.g. parental mental health difficulties, maltreatment, neglect). They concluded that ACEs have strong associations with all classes of disorders across the life-span. In a similar study reviewing early life stress (ELS) and adult emotional experience in an international sample of 1659 adults without psychopathology, Xxxxx et al. (2006) found important associations between ELS and current emotional distress. They noted a linear increase in symptoms of depression, anxiety and stress, as measured by the Depression, Anxiety and Stress Scale (DASS; Lovibond & Lovibond, 1993) as a function of increasing number of ACEs. They concluded that links between ACEs and subclinical levels symptoms of distress can have consequences ‘even in healthy individuals’ (Xxxxx et al., 2006, p. 45). As such, regardless of pathology, the relationship between ACEs and distress may be accounted for by this body of literature.