TRIGGER WARNING

This episode shares details of a child’s experiences with domestic violence and suicide and may be activating for some listeners.

Overview

The research on ”Adverse Childhood Experiences” is clear — The CDC Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACE) Study has identified ten types of childhood trauma that can affect people later in life. Five types of trauma are personal, such as physical abuse or neglect, while the other five are related to family members, such as having a parent who is an alcoholic or experiencing the divorce of parents. Each type of trauma counts as one, so someone who has experienced physical abuse, has one alcoholic parent, and a mother who was a survivor of domestic violence has an ACE score of three.

The study revealed a strong link between childhood trauma and chronic diseases that people develop as adults, such as heart disease, lung cancer, and diabetes. It also showed a link to social and emotional problems such as depression, violence, and suicide.

In this episode I speak with the amazing Corey Jones. Corey’s childhood and adolescent journey through trauma is heartbreaking, and his perseverance and ability to turn pain into purpose is inspirational. He breaks the shackles to his past by appreciating this is his life to live.

ACEs Score

Prior to your 18th birthday:

Did a parent or other adult in the household often or very often… Swear at you, insult you, put you down, or humiliate you? or Act in a way that made you afraid that you might be physically hurt?
No___If Yes, enter 1 __
Did a parent or other adult in the household often or very often… Push, grab, slap, or throw something at you? or Ever hit you so hard that you had marks or were injured?
No___If Yes, enter 1 __
Did an adult or person at least 5 years older than you ever… Touch or fondle you or have you touch their body in a sexual way? or Attempt or actually have oral, anal, or vaginal intercourse with you?
No___If Yes, enter 1 __
Did you often or very often feel that … No one in your family loved you or thought you were important or special? or Your family didn’t look out for each other, feel close to each other, or support each other?
No___If Yes, enter 1 __
Did you often or very often feel that … You didn’t have enough to eat, had to wear dirty clothes, and had no one to protect you? or Your parents were too drunk or high to take care of you or take you to the doctor if you needed it?
No___If Yes, enter 1 __
Were your parents ever separated or divorced?
No___If Yes, enter 1 __
Was your mother or stepmother:
Often or very often pushed, grabbed, slapped, or had something thrown at her? or Sometimes, often, or very often kicked, bitten, hit with a fist, or hit with something hard? or Ever repeatedly hit over at least a few minutes or threatened with a gun or knife?
No___If Yes, enter 1 __
Did you live with anyone who was a problem drinker or alcoholic, or who used street drugs?
No___If Yes, enter 1 __
Was a household member depressed or mentally ill, or did a household member attempt suicide? No___If Yes, enter 1 __
Did a household member go to prison?
No___If Yes, enter 1 __

Now add up your “Yes” answers: _ This is your ACE Score

About Corey Jones

Corey Jones, better known as CJ the Empowerment Speaker, is a graduate of Texas Lutheran University, where he majored in Kinesiology with a minor in Psychology. Corey is currently pursuing his Master’s Degree in Clinical Mental Health from Our Lady of The Lake University. CJ has been involved in advocacy work for the past 18 years, and he has dedicated his life to serving and empowering people to become their best selves. CJ has taken the world by storm with his intense and creative-styled presentations on resilience, mental health, and leadership development. CJ is a Les Brown Certified Professional Speaker under the “Your Power Voice Program” and a Life Coach. He is currently featured on the #1 motivational speaking app in the nation (Pep Talk), alongside Les Brown, Eric Thomas, Oprah Winfrey, Dr. Myles Munroe, and Tony Robbins. Corey is also a voice over artist for Fearless Motivation, Motiversity, and Motivation Madness. CJ has been interviewed by Fox, NBC, and CBS News and as seen in Buzz Magazine. CJ has been quoted in the Huffington Post and is a 3-time author. His mission is to transform lives and take you on a journey within yourself that you cannot get to by yourself.

Show Notes

Understanding Adverse Childhood Experiences

CDC: Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs)

https://www.cdc.gov/violenceprevention/aces/index.html

https://www.cdc.gov/violenceprevention/aces/fastfact.html

YouTube “We Can Prevent Aces” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8gm-lNpzU4g

Harvard University: ACEs and Toxic Stress: Frequently Asked Questions

https://developingchild.harvard.edu/resources/aces-and-toxic-stress-frequently-asked-questions/

NIH Adverse Childhood Experiences and Suicide Risk: Toward Comprehensive Prevention

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5603224/

Domestic Violence and its Impact on Children

American Psychological Association: Suicide and intimate partner violence

https://www.apa.org/monitor/2014/11/suicide-violence

The Healing Effect of Caring Adults on Children Experiencing Trauma

Adult support during childhood: a retrospective study of trusted adult relationships, sources of personal adult support and their association with childhood resilience resources

https://bmcpsychology.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s40359-021-00601-x

Trauma and Anger

VA: Trauma & Anger: https://www.ptsd.va.gov/understand/related/anger.asp#:~:text=The%20trauma%20and%20shock%20of,emotions%2C%20including%20anger%20and%20rage.

The More Traumatic the Childhood, the Angrier the Adult: https://neurosciencenews.com/child-trauma-adult-anger-22874/