From Healthy Stadia, May 2020
Experiencing trauma can have long-lasting health and social consequences. Extreme or prolonged stress in childhood is commonly referred to as adverse childhood experiences or ACEs. Trauma is very prevalent in the lives of those who are at risk of perpetrating or experiencing violence, homelessness and problematic alcohol and drug use.
There is a growing body of evidence demonstrating that adults who suffered trauma or prolonged stress during childhood are more likely to adopt health-harming behaviours in later life such as smoking tobacco, alcohol and drug misuse, which can lead to early onset of chronic disease. Adults in the most deprived communities are also three times more likely to have suffered four or more ACEs than their more affluent counterparts.
However, ACEs should not define anyone’s future. Participation in sport and the positive relationships with coaches and other adults can help strengthen resilience, reverse the harm from trauma and result in lifelong benefits for individuals, families and the wider community.
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