Skip to main content

Reply to "The use of ACE scores for individuals"

Hi Andrew,

Good question. Since an ACE "score" is a number it would seem hard to assign a targeted intervention given that  the number does not indicate which specific adversity is present (e.g., a 4 could include sexual abuse or not; how can one target an intervention when the score itself is non-specific?).  This lies at the heart of the controversy about whether screening with an ACE score (as opposed to a more detailed inquiry about specific ACEs and toxic stressors) has clinical utility.  It also depends on whether you're using this with adults (in describing their history of childhood adversity) or with children/youth (addressing present ACEs). A score is also problematic in that it assumes that all individual ACEs have the same "weight", since each is given a value of "1". Many have questioned that assumption.

In my opinion, ACE scores are helpful from an epidemiologic perspective (population prevalence and assessing relative risk) , but have little value in and of themselves in a clinical setting where identifying specific interventions are needed. 

Lee  

Copyright © 2023, PACEsConnection. All rights reserved.
×
×
×
×