Articles by Danijela Maras

Danijela Maras is an all-but-dissertation student in the Clinical Psychology PhD program at the University of Ottawa in Canada. She provides evidence-based psychological assessment and treatment to children, adolescents, and families at the Children's Hospital of Eastern Ontario. Danijela completed her BSc (Hons) in Biochemistry and her BA (Hons) in Psychology at the University of Ottawa, and her MA in Psychology at Carleton University. Danijela's research interests lie at the intersection of physical and mental health, including work in eating disorders, obesity, and health & rehabilitation. Cutting across all domains is her interest in attachment and psychotherapy.

Adverse Childhood Experiences: Traumas That Set the Framework for Life

Adverse Childhood Experiences: Traumas That Set the Framework for Life

Growing up in a home with physical abuse, emotional neglect, mental illness, alcohol use, or drug use are some examples of childhood adversities. The seminal work of Dr. Vincent Felitti and colleagues asked over 17,000 adults to answer questions about adverse childhood experiences — or ACEs — and current health [1]. Results were shocking: More ACEs led to poorer health in adulthood and early death.

It is important to understand that ACEs do not directly cause poor outcomes; there are likely many mediating mechanisms such as maladaptive coping, unhealthy interpersonal relationships, negative health behaviors, dysfunctional thinking styles, and insecure attachments that contribute to these outcomes. In addition to prevention efforts, these are all potential areas that therapists can intervene to mitigate the long-term effects of adversity.