Examining Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) within Indigenous Populations: a Systematic Review

Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) and Health Histories Among Clients in a First Nations-Led Treatment for Substance Use

“…This study has documented preliminary prevalence rates of ACE scores within a predominately Indigenous sample of clients seeking substance use treatment. ACE scores were higher than national averages and previous data collected with Indigenous samples (Radford et al, 2021 ). We provided preliminary descriptive analyses relating ACEs to health outcomes for Indigenous people.…”

“…While two provincial-wide studies on ACEs have been published, there was limited representation of any Indigenous population. Furthermore, these endeavors did not assess all ten ACEs, making it difficult to compare results across studies (Radford et al, 2021 ). Research that documents the prevalence of all ACEs for First Nations individuals can be particularly valuable for First Nations communities and may inform existing prevention and treatment efforts within substance use treatment settings, where the impact of ACEs is particularly salient.…”

“…This balance is viewed to promote individual aspects of wellness related to hope, belonging, meaning, and purpose and potentially mitigate experiences of child adversity. However, among the Indigenous ACE studies completed to date (Radford et al, 2021 ), none have incorporated any type of existing model that promotes Indigenous wellbeing in a Canadian context. If clear relationships between ACEs and health outcomes can be established, the role of protective factors (including hope, belonging, meaning, and purpose, as described in the FNMWCF) and the promotion of resilience can be better understood.…”

Predictors of Land-Based Activity Participation in a National Representative Sample of Indigenous Individuals Living Off-Reserve

“…For example, Indigenous adults in Canada have a lower life expectancy than non-Indigenous adults [8], with Inuit men living approximately 15 fewer years than non-Indigenous men in Canada [9]. Although rates differ across regions, Indigenous populations have higher rates of suicide [10], are more likely to be hospitalized for acute substance-use-related concerns [11], and are more likely to experience adversity in childhood, such as exposure to intimate partner violence [12], when compared to non-Indigenous people. Revitalizing land-based activities has been championed as one mechanism to rectify the detrimental effects of longstanding historical and present-day discrimination experienced by Indigenous people that contributes to Indigenous health disparities [13].…”

Adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) are increasing in indigenous populations in Canada: Now what?

“…Indigenous people also have higher rates of major health concerns including high infant and child mortality, increased risk for infectious diseases, malnutrition and delayed development, shortened life expectancies, increased substance-used related health concerns, increased prevalence of lifestyle diseases (including diabetes, hypertension, cardiovascular diseases, and chronic renal diseases), and increased risk of accidental death (Gracey & King, 2009). Adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) have been associated with some of these health indicators among Indigenous peoples, whereas certain ACEs experienced by Indigenous peoples in Canada have been associated with detrimental health outcomes experienced during adulthood (Radford et al, 2021).…”