ACElife - Adverse Childhood Experiences

ACElife produces longitudinal register-based research on the characteristics of adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) and how they impact individuals' later lives, a broad evaluation of the effectiveness of current practices and services aimed at preventing ACEs and mitigating their negative effects, and an evaluation on how different forms of child maltreatment are identified in service systems.

The project is divided into five work packages:

WP1: Social determinants and later-life consequences of ACEs

WP 2: Effectiveness of out-of-home and foster care in child protection

WP 3: Adverse childhood experiences and the criminal justice system

WP 4: Parenting support and the third sector in the prevention of adverse childhood experiences

WP 5: Child participation

Many children are exposed to adverse experiences such as neglect, violence, parental substance abuse or parental mental health problems. In the international research literature, such experiences are referred to as Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs). These experiences have been shown to have long-lasting effects on physical, psychological and social well-being. It is therefore important to prevent them.

The main objective of the project is to ensure equal future opportunities for children with adverse childhood experiences.

ACElife increases the understanding of Finnish children's ACE experiences and their consequences, examines the effectiveness of child protective services, and provides welfare regions, municipalities and third sector actors with effective tools to promote children's safety and well-being. It also aims to improve the implementation of child inclusion and children's rights, both in research and in the design of services.

Strategic Research