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Reply to "Improving the Adverse Childhood Experiences Study Scale"

Great topic! The challenge is distinguishing between what one intuitively feels is significant and what can be proven to have a long term negative impact. On a purely personal level, I always felt that pervasive racial discrimination should be a factor, although variations in frequency and intensity make it difficult to measure accurately. I would believe that pervasive gender discrimination (especially as regards lesbian, gay and transgender persons) should also be included. Perhaps the common factor is the cognitive dissonance created by receiving very different, conflicting social messages. I would love to see the research that could make this a proven addition to the ACEs survey.

 

Also, in terms of measuring resilience, I would mention that spiritual belief is important, but that in some cultures it is not personified in a belief in a "God."  As someone of Asian background, I have had difficulty honestly answering some questions about spirituality, since belief in a God, or regular attendance at a temple are not key markers to me. I do feel a good resilience test is needed to counter the "history is destiny" feeling some have after seeing their ACEs score.

 

I feel ACEs is very firmly grounded in the western American experience. I wonder how "relevant" the ACES phraseology appears to new immigrants. Thanks again for raising this topic. (By the way, I am also an INFP, although I move between that and INTP.)

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