Table 1 Full questions used in survey to measure ACEs and coding
ACE questions. All ACE questions were preceded by the statement “While you were growing up, before the age of 18...” | ||
|---|---|---|
ACE | Question | Qualifying response |
Physical abuse | How often did a parent or adult in your home ever hit, beat, kick, or physically hurt you in any way? This does not include gentle smacking for punishment? | Once or more than once |
Verbal abuse | How often did a parent or adult in your home ever swear at you, insult you, or put you down? | More than once |
Sexual abuse | How often did anyone at least 5 years older than you (including adults) ever touch you sexually? | Once or more than once to any of the questions |
How often did anyone at least 5 years older than you (including adults) try to make you touch them sexually? | ||
How often did anyone at least 5 years older than you (including adults) force you to have any type of sexual intercourse (oral, anal, or vaginal)? | ||
Parental separation | Were your parents ever separated or divorced? | Yes |
Domestic violence | How often did your parents or adults in your home ever slap, hit, kick, punch, or beat each other up? | Once or more than once |
Mental illness | Did you live with anyone who was depressed, mentally ill, or suicidal? | Yes |
Alcohol abuse | Did you live with anyone who was a problem drinker or alcoholic? | Yes |
Drug abuse | Did you live with anyone who used illegal street drugs or who abused prescription medications? | Yes |
Incarceration | Did you live with anyone who served time or was sentenced to serve time in a prison or young offenders’ institution? | Yes |