A review on adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) and protective factors

Faculty of Arts & Social Sciences, National University of Singapore, Singapore

^* Corresponding author: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Abstract

Childhood adversity, particularly cumulative adverse childhood experiences (ACEs), disrupts neurodevelopment and socioemotional health, elevating lifelong risks for mental and physical disorders. Resilience mechanisms—mediated by intrinsic capacities (e.g., emotional regulation) and extrinsic supports (e.g., caregivers)—counteract these harms by stabilizing stress physiology, buffering neurobiological damage, and reducing risky behaviours through equity-focused interventions. Critical gaps remain in understanding gene-environment dynamics and culturally grounded resilience frameworks. This paper frames resilience as an active neuro-social adaptation process, where internal capabilities and environmental resources synergize to mitigate ACEs’ embedded biological disruptions and systemic inequities. Recommendations advocate transdisciplinary frameworks integrating biomarker monitoring, community-co-designed interventions, policy reforms linking funding to prevention, and culturally grounded resilience metrics. Bridging neurobiological and sociostructural perspectives reframes resilience as liberation from systemic trauma, advancing universal well-being.