Posttraumatic Growth Following Adverse Childhood Experiences: “My Creative Arts Teacher Got Me Through It”

Abstract

Background: Childhood trauma results in long-term health and economic complications. The original Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACE) inventory provided researchers and health experts a lens to explore the implications of early experiences of trauma on human development. The ACE inventory has been evaluated over the last two decades to include societal and community factors, however gaps in assessment warrant a further need for revision. The ACE-EX was built to combine current research and social determinants of health with data obtained directly from people who experienced trauma but were unable to be accounted for in the original or recent modified measures. This study demonstrates how relationships serve as a fundamental protective factor for traumatized children to experience post-traumatic growth. Objective: The authors examined creative art expression, in context with nurturing relationships, as a protective factor against long term negative outcomes associated with ACEs. Method: The researchers used grounded theory methodology and recruited 10 adult participants who reported having four or more experiences on an expanded trauma inventory (ACE-EX) and did not report significant negative health conditions. Participants completed two qualitative retrospective interviews regarding important relationships and the arts. Data analysis used the constant comparative method to complete both iterative and theoretical coding. Findings: Data supported the importance of nurturing relationships, combined with expressive arts, as protective factors against ACEs. Relationships and the arts provided a context for integrating experiences in relation to early trauma. Conclusion: The implications of chronic traumatic stress necessitate the need for building protective factors into the fabric of societal systems. Identifying variables such as creative expression within the context of supportive relationships with caring adults, and inclusive communities, suggest comprehensive prevention programs are possible and social policy reform is needed to aide in mitigating the long-term effects of childhood trauma.