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While the term “collective impact” is not limited to the work of building resilient communities, this approach to social change, which is the influential process wherein different sectors—for example, juvenile justice, education and social services—share an agenda and goals, has been key to creating successful social change. Collective impact initiatives, unlike simple collaborations, have a […]
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Hardship, distress or suffering. In the context of ACEs, adversity refers to circumstances in a child’s life including neglect, abuse and family dysfunction. It can also refer to hardships faced by individuals and communities due to natural disaster, violence, discrimination or poverty.
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Allostasis refers to the way the brain and body respond to challenges or stresses: by reacting, adapting and then recovering. But if the stress is extreme, negative and unrelenting, the brain and body pay a price. That accumulated wear-and-tear, called allostatic load, can cause chemical imbalances, accelerate certain diseases, and even alter brain structures. Genetics, […]
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When children are exposed to multiple traumatic events, such as ongoing physical or sexual abuse, witnessing family or community violence, or separation from family members, they may suffer complex trauma, with deep and long-lasting effects on their ability to think, learn and relate to others. Research has shown that the more ACEs a person has, […]
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Even our genes respond to what happens to us, through chemical reactions that turn certain parts of the genome on or off in response to stress, diet, behavior, toxins and other factors. Epigenetics is the study of how the social and physical environment change the expression of our genes.
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Where ACEs are concerned, neuroplasticity is the good news. It refers to the brain’s ability to grow, adapt, reorganize and form new connections throughout life. Exercise, sleep, music, spending time in nature, meditation, support from family and friends, and a reduction in stress can all help the brain recover from the effects of adverse experiences. […]
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It’s human nature to react to fear or danger; this is often called the “fight, flight or freeze” response. But many people, after experiencing traumatic stress, feel frightened even when they’re no longer at risk. PTSD can develop after experiencing a traumatic event such as war, sexual assault, a plane crash or an earthquake; it […]
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Think of these as the opposite of ACEs—the factors or circumstances in a child’s life that buffer her/him from harm and promote stability and resilience. Research has shown that supportive family and social relationships, exercise, adequate sleep, proper nutrition, spending time in nature, listening to music, and meditation are key protective factors for individuals. Protective […]
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This is the capacity to cope with stress, overcome adversity and thrive despite (and perhaps even because of) challenges in life. People who are resilient see setbacks and disappointments as opportunities to grow. While some people may seem to be naturally more resilient, research shows that children, adults and even communities can learn skills and […]
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This refers to the suffering and stress that comes from witnessing, helping or trying to help a traumatized person. Nurses, teachers, hospice workers, foster parents, child welfare workers, physicians, police officers and judges may experience secondary trauma; so can emergency workers who assist following a natural disaster. Symptoms of secondary trauma can include sadness, anger, […]