Parent & child ACEs: How they impact parenting practices & child development

Author

Gracie LenzFollow

Date

8-20-2024

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Arts in Human Services: Emphasis in Trauma, Resilience, & Self-Care Strategies

Department

Human Services

Abstract

Adverse childhood experiences, or ACEs, are adverse events that occur in childhood and can have a profound impact on an individual’s health and development. Recent trends in literature surrounding ACEs have sought to explore the relationship between parental adversity and the intergenerational transmission of risk for adversity to the child. The aims of this review are as follows: 1) to examine current literature on how adversity impacts parenting, whether that be stemming from childhood or current in the family. 2) how parenting practices and adversity impact children’s health and development. To accomplish these objectives, research was conducted primarily by using the Concordia St. Paul online library. Resource selection was based on publication date (whether it was current, within the past eight years), peer-reviewed, and credibility of author and journal publication. I hypothesize that childhood adversity impacts adults and their parenting practices in a negative way. The results of the literature review revealed the hypothesis to be true. Parents with a history of ACEs were more likely to form insecure attachments and use harsh parenting practices. Previous adversity from the parent or current adversity faced by the family put the child at greater risk for adversity themselves as well as adverse outcomes both in childhood and later adulthood. Recommendations were made for each adversity on interventions and supports that are designed to improve parent-child relationships, parent practices, and child outcomes. Implications and suggestions for further research are also discussed.

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