An important part of parenting is understanding how various factors can impact your child’s development and wellbeing. One critical area to be aware of are Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs).

ACEs are a multitude of traumatic events that happen to a child which can potentially have life-long consequences on their mental health, physical health and wellbeing. It is important to bear in mind that each child is unique, and the impact of ACEs will vary from child to child depending on a various factors.

ACEs can impact a child's emotions and the way they learn to make sense of the world. They can also impact a child’s academic performance, and even their long-term health. Educating ourselves on ACEs is important to allow us to help children who face these challenges to grow up healthier and happier.

“Our brains are wired for connection, but trauma rewires them for protection. That's why healthy relationships are difficult for wounded people”
Ryan North

What are examples of real-life ACEs?

Emotional and Physical Harm:

Emotional harm includes ongoing insults, humiliation, or threats towards a child.
Physical harm is when a child is injured.
Sexual Abuse is where a child has become involved in sexual acts.

Neglect:

Neglect can appear in the fom of lack of emotional support, love, affection and sense of belonging from the adults that look after them.

Physical Neglect is when a child’s basic care needs are not met by the adults that look after that child. This can include not having enough food, inadequate clothing, or shelter.

Household dysfunction:

A child living with someone who has a substance (drugs or alcohol) abuse problem.
A child who is living with someone with untreated and unsupported mental illness.
A child who is witnessing domestic violence.
A child having an imprisoned household member.
A child experiencing parental separation or divorce (1) (2).

The Facts:

Nearly half of people in the UK have experienced one ACE, with around 9% experiencing four or more ACEs (3). Six ACEs can reduce your life expectancy by twenty years.
98% of the prison population in the USA has at least one ACE, 78.1% experienced more than four (4).
If you have experienced three or more ACEs you are 60% more likely to experience risk of autoimmune diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis, Lupus and Tyle 1 Diabetes (4).
UK research has found that adverse childhood experiences are linked to an increased likelihood of early sex and teenage pregnancy compared to people with no ACEs (5).

Many children can experience a range of ACEs and these vary depending on individual circumstances, cultural norms, and socio-economic factors. Here are some common ACEs that Asian children may experience:

Physical Abuse:

Harsh physical discipline is a cultural norm in some Asian communitis. Children may be exposed to domestic violence between their parents or carers which can be prevalent in some households where maintaining family honour is highly prioritised.

High Parental Expectations:

Academic success is highly valued in many Asian cultures and there may be considerable pressure for a child to excel academically or in extracurricular activities as a result of this. For example, there could be a high expectation for a child to achieve top grades and secure admission to a prestigious university. A child may also face emotional criticism or shaming from parents or elders if they fail to meeting high expectations.

Sexual Abuse:

Unfortunately, sexual abuse can occur in any culture. Children may be exposed to inappropriate behaviours by family members or close family friends, whereby, more often than not, these incidents are kept quiet due to the fear of bringing shame on the family. Sexual abuse within the Asian community is less likely to be reported to the police due to the stigma attached to it. Cultural barriers such as the shame and stigma associated with discussing sexual abuse often complicates these situations making it difficult for victims to seek help.

Neglect:

Emotional neglect can manifest as a lack of emotional support or affection, which can be common in families where academic success is prioritised over emotional wellbeing. For instance, parents may be more focused on a child's grades than on their emotional needs. On the flipside, educational neglect is also common and occurs when there is a lack of encouragement or involvement in a child’s educational activities, such as parents being too busy with work to attend school meetings or help with homework. This tends to be more common in immigrant families striving for financial stability.

Household Dysfunction:

As with many cultures, some parents do not get on and children may witness frequent arguments or conflict between them. This may be a source of stress in many Asian households where conflict resolution is not openly discussed.

Substance abuse, including parental alcoholism or drug addiction, is another issue that some children in Asian families might face, especially if parents use substances to cope with stress.

Additionally, parental mental illness, such as depression, anxiety, or other mental health issues, can disrupt the household, and mental health is often stigmatised in Asian cultures, preventing both parnts and children to seek help.

Divorce or separation can cause family disruption, often leading to financial instability and a life of poverty or financial stress.

Community Violence:

Exposure to gang violence in the community is a significant concern for some Asian families living in urban areas with high crime rates. Children who are brought up in these environments are often exposed to gang fights and other crimes.
Another form of community violence may be bullying in the form of racial harrassment.

Traumatic Events:

Children may experience natural disasters, such as earthquakes in Japan, or floods in Bangladsh, whih can impact them for life. Additionally, exposure to conflict or displacement in regions affected by political unrest or war can also create trauma, such as fleeing from conflicts in places like Afghanistan or Myanmar, may lead to significant psychological stress for children.

Impact Across Socio-economic Status, Religion, and Caste:

Whilst children from disadvantaged socio-economical positions may be at a greater risk of ACEs, it is important to recognise that they can impact families of all statuses, religions, and castes. Things like emotional neglect can be present in affluent households where maintaining a facade of success is prioritised, as well as disadvantaged homes.

Understanding ACEs specific to Asian children can help in developing culturally sensitive interventions and support systems. At AMBER we strive to support Asian families by providing a support system and an educational platform.

By addressing these issues with cultural sensitivity, we can work towards mitigating their impact and promote healthier outcomes for Asian children (2) (7)

What are the long-term effect of ACEs on children from Asian backgrounds?

1. Mental Health Issues

Children from Asian backgrounds who experience ACEs may have a higher risk of developing mental health issues such as anxiety and depression. Cultural stigmas surrounding mental health often hinder open discussions around the topic, preventing those suffering from seeking help, leading to untreated conditions in childhood to persist into adulthood.