Abstract

Aim: The research also aimed to explore the usefulness of measuring perceived levels of trauma to
distinguish non-traumatic from traumatic ACEs;
Subject and Methods: This article shares findings from an online questionnaire of 156 graduates
and undergraduates which sought to capture and describe the range of adverse childhood
experiences (ACEs) participants were exposed to before the age of 18, including those not
associated with the ACE study survey (Felitti, et al. 1998). The research built upon the original
study with the inclusion of open-ended questions to capture any additional ACEs participants felt
they experienced.
Results: This distinction was used to investigate whether the inclusion of additional ACEs and the
exclusion of perceived non-traumatic ACEs significantly affected the participants overall ACE
score. A Wilcoxon Sign Rank Test found a significant difference between ACE scores (z = -5.84,
p <.001, r = -.33);
Conclusion: The analysis suggests the ACE survey did not capture the range of adversities
experienced by this sample and suggests that an open-ended approach should be considered for
future ACE measures.