PACEs for Children: Overcoming Adversity and Building Resilience

Published May. 2020|Id: T-2146

By Jennifer Hays-Grudo, Erin Ratliff, Amanda Sheffield Morris

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Adversity in Oklahoma
The Ten PACEs Include
Ways Parents can Promote PACEs
Provide Emotional Guidance
Use Discipline, Not Punishment
Provide Fair Rules and Limitations
Create and Maintain Healthy Routines
Promote Participation and Strong Relationships
Additional Resources for Parents and Children
References

Adversity in Oklahoma

Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) are events or conditions, such as childhood abuse, neglect, domestic violence and parent substance abuse, that occur before the age of 18. Oklahoma is one of the states with the highest number of children with ACEs. However, there are positive experiences that can reduce the effects of adversity and build resilience in children and teens.

What are Protective and Compensatory Experiences (PACEs)?

Protective and compensatory experiences (PACEs) are positive experiences that can increase resilience and protect against risk for mental and physical illness. In the PACEs Heart Model below, supportive relationships and resources make up PACEs. Adults who had many PACEs in their childhood have fewer problems related to health and wellbeing even if they had a history of ACEs.

Relationships and resources comparison chart.

The Ten PACEs Include

parent/caregiver unconditional love
spending time with a best friend
volunteering or helping others
being active in a social group
having a mentor outside of the family
living in a clean, safe home with enough food
having opportunities to learn
having a hobby
being active or playing sports
having routines and fair rules at home

Ways Parents can Promote PACEs

There are many ways you can promote PACEs for your children if they have experienced adversity. Below are some ways you can foster positive experiences.

Encourage Communication and Ask for Input

High-quality parent-child relationships are related to positive child outcomes. You can encourage open communication with your child by listening, sharing, asking open-ended questions and using “I” messages. “I” messages are a way of expressing your thoughts and feelings without placing blame on your child. It’s important to have fun conversations free from judgment or criticism. These types of talks can lead to greater disclosure when it’s time to talk about more serious issues. It is important to encourage communication with teens as they gain independence and make important decisions.

Provide Emotional Guidance

You can help your children understand and regulate their emotions by being an emotion coach. Emotion coaching involves helping children identify and label their emotions, responding with empathy and working to solve the problem together. Children with ACEs may have more difficulty regulating their emotions. You can use phrases such as: “It’s okay to feel this way.” or “I hear what you are saying, and I am here for you.” These statements show you understand and you’re willing to help solve the problem.

Happy, sad, and angry faces.

Use Discipline, Not Punishment

Children need to know there are consequences for their behavior. However, you should not use tactics like spanking, hitting, shouting or name-calling. In children with ACEs, these tactics can increase distress. Instead, you should clearly state the unwanted behavior, set reasonable consequences and give the child a chance to fix their mistake or apologize. Explain how the behavior affects other people but avoid embarrassing the child in front of other people.

Provide Fair Rules and Limitations

It is important to provide clear rules and limits for children. These should change as children get older. You can ask for your child’s input when it comes to setting fair rules. This can give the child a sense of control. Rules should be sensible and consistent. Remember to model the behaviors you expect from your children.

Create and Maintain Healthy Routines

Regular and healthy routines reduce stress. Eating together as a family, creating a bedtime and sharing in family activities are related to positive health. It is important that routines do not become boring or rigid. A reasonable amount of structure can be beneficial.

Promote Participation and Strong Relationships

Supportive relationships can increase social skills and decrease feelings of loneliness. Having a mentor outside of the family can increase success in school and lessen risky behaviors. Encourage children and teens to engage in activities like sports, clubs and community organizations. You can also provide ways for children to meet and spend time with people with different backgrounds. Diverse experiences and relationships can help shape a child’s identity.

Additional Resources for Parents and Children

ACEs Connection
National Child Traumatic Stress Network
Administration for Children and Families Resource Guide to Trauma Informed Human Services

References

ACEs Connection (2018) https://www.acesconnection.com
Anda, R. F., Felitti, V. J., Bremner, J. D., Walker, J. D., Whitfield, C., Perry, B. D. and Giles, W. H. (2006). The enduring effects of abuse and related adverse experiences in childhood. A convergence of evidence from neurobiology and epidemiology. European Archives of Psychiatry and Clinical Neuroscience, 256(3), 174-186.
Bethell, C. D., Davis, M. B., Gombojav, N., Stumbo, S., & Powers, K. (2017). Issue Brief: A national and across state profile on adverse childhood experiences among children and possibilities to heal and thrive. Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health.
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Hays-Grudo, J. & Morris, A.S. (2020). Adverse and protective childhood experiences: A developmental perspective. Washington DC: APA Press.
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Lu, W., & Xiao, Y. (2019). Adverse Childhood Experiences and Adolescent Mental Disorders: Protective Mechanisms of Family Functioning, Social Capital, and Civic Engagement. Health Behavior Research, 2(1), 3.
Morris, A. S., Hays-Grudo, J., Treat, A. E., Williamson, A. C., Huffer, A., Roblyer, M. Z. and Staton, J. (2015). Assessing resilience using the protective and compensatory experiences survey (paces). Paper presented at the Society for Research in Child Development, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
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