This literature review aims to summarize previous existing research on adverse childhood experiences in Wales, identifying several topics and themes that will help to structure my thesis on the topic of adverse childhood experiences in Wales. Researching existing material on the topic will provide an overview of key concepts and allow for a better understanding of the topic. Its goal is to review the literature on adverse childhood experiences and critically analyze the information gathered by “identifying gaps in current knowledge; showing the limits of theories and points of view; and formulating areas for further research.” Throughout this literature review, adverse childhood experiences will continue to be referred to as ACEs. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on "Why Violent Video Games Shouldn't Be Banned"? Get an original essayPublic Health Wales in collaboration with Liverpool John Moores University conducted the first Adverse Childhood Experience for Wales study in 2015, which included 2,028 participants aged 18-69. The study's initial analysis aimed to identify how harmful health behaviors relate to ACEs experienced in childhood. The study concluded that a substantial proportion of the Welsh population suffered from various ACEs during their upbringing, with 47% reporting experiencing at least one ACE and 14% reporting experiencing four or more ACEs during their upbringing. 'childhood. Growing evidence shows that negative childhood experiences impact health throughout adulthood, often caused by the self-inflicted development of behavioral habits that are harmful to health. The greater the exposure to ACEs, the greater the risk of developing these behaviors. Children exposed to ACEs during their upbringing and a poor-quality childhood are more likely to enter adulthood developing harmful health and antisocial behaviors. Children who experience more ACEs develop harmful health behaviors such as substance abuse, smoking, poor diet, and risky sexual behaviors. The same adverse experiences, often during adolescence, can result in antisocial behavior, including violence and aggressive behavior. Statistics published by Public Health Wales show that for every 100 adults in Wales, 47 have experienced at least one form of ACE in childhood, and 14 in 100 have experienced four or more ACEs. Compared to those who have not experienced ACEs, those with 4 or more experiences are 4 times more likely to be a high-risk drinker, 6 times more likely to smoke, to have had underage sex, or to have had or caused teenage pregnancy . Those with multiple ACE experiences are also 11 times more likely to have smoked cannabis, 14 times more likely to have been a perpetrator or victim of violence in the past 12 months, and 20 times more likely to have been incarcerated at some point during age adult. According to Public Health Wales, preventing ACEs could reduce both the impact and influence of harmful health behaviors in Wales, as well as improve the early years of life for children across Wales in future generations. Preventing ACEs could reduce levels of Class A substance abuse by 66%, incarceration by 65%, perpetration or victimization of violence in the past year by 60%, unintended teen pregnancy by 41%, alcohol high risk and problematic by 35%, underage sex by 31% and levels of tobacco or e-cigarette smoking by 24%. The Public Health Wales report also establishes that experiencing ACEs in childhood andadolescence can influence the child's development, resulting in long-term effects on the individual throughout adulthood. Research shows that exposure to ACEs affects a child's brain development, as well as their immunological, nervous and hormonal systems. This affects the exposure of ACEs to a wide range of health problems in later years, including cancer and heart disease, and diabetes. Recent evidence shows that chronic exposure to traumatic experiences in early childhood can alter brain development, radically altering the nervous, hormonal, and immunological systems. Neurodevelopmental disorders in the child, when exposed to routine ACEs, can cause the individual to be “stuck in a heightened state of alertness, fundamentally setting them up for constant trauma.” This would have negative and long-lasting effects on their mental well-being. This literature from Public Health Wales shows strong relevance to the research I intended to carry out as it contains general knowledge about ACEs and statistics to follow. Having an understanding of the topic will allow me to deepen my knowledge about it, ultimately shaping my thesis question. The study conducted by Public Health Wales is useful for my research as it is recent and fact-based. It brings together an understanding of the topic in Wales and highlights appropriate themes for my research. In terms of education, children eligible for free school meals are less likely to achieve higher GCSE grades and go on to further education. This is seen as a cycle. Children who achieve lower GCSE grades are more likely to struggle with job prospects, ultimately affecting their income and life opportunities, therefore widening social inequality. Children eligible for free school meals are more commonly exposed to ACEs than those from higher income families. “Individuals' engagement in education, their ability to acquire qualifications and, ultimately, their contribution to the economy can be affected by a combination of antisocial behaviour, difficulties in social adjustment and poor health.” Evidence links child abuse and neglect to lower educational, employment, and income outcomes. Lower educational achievement translates into poorer job prospects, impacting individuals' income. Family income would then determine the type of household the individual would occupy. With regards to social housing, those living in social housing are often the poorest and most vulnerable members of society. These individuals are more likely to be socially excluded than those living in owner-occupied households. For this reason and my experience with a housing association, I intend to link my research into adverse childhood experiences to social housing. The goal of my thesis is to discover the impact that ACEs have and find a prevention protocol that can work to minimize ACEs. In terms of successfully addressing the impact of ACEs, a better understanding of the issue would be needed. This would require collecting data and assessing prevention needs. According to SAMSHA, building relationships with community organizations and partners through strong collaboration and prevention efforts aligned with the widespread incidence of ACEs would help reduce the number of reported ACEs. Tackling ACEs in Wales relies on having “intelligence on how many individuals are exposed to ACEs, the characteristics of those most at risk and the consequences over the course of their lives”. Prevention efforts would also require national policies and programs that.