The revolutionary first study, CDCKaiser Permanente ACE Study (Felitti et al., 998), examined the relationships between these experiences during childhood and reduced health and well-being later in life. According to the latter, childhood experiences have a tremendous, lifelong impact on our health and the quality of our lives. The ACE Study showed dramatic links between ACEs and risky behavior, psychological issues, serious illness and the leading causes of death by altering the development of neurological, immunological and hormonal systems. Subsequently, individuals with greater exposure to ACEs are more likely to develop health-harming and anti-social behaviors, such as drinking, smoking and drug abuse. Moreover, they are also more likely to be involved in violence and other anti-social behavior and perform poorly in schools. Individuals with poor health and behavioral problems are more prone to develop conditions such as diabetes, cancer, cardiovascular disease and mental illness.
According to the WHO definition (WHO, 999), child maltreatment refers to all forms of physical and/or emotional ill-treatment, sexual abuse, neglect or negligent treatment or commercial or other exploitation, resulting in actual or potential harm to the childs health, survival, deve
lopment or dignity, in the context of a relationship of responsibility, trust or power. Child maltreatment begins in childhood, but may progress through adolescence and adulthood and have consequences on various domains of functioning physical, mental and social. For instance, neglect refers to a persistent failure of the caregiver to fulfill a childs basic needs, leading to serious actual or potential damage to the childs health and development in any key area, and therefore may be manifested as physical, educational, emotional or medical (WHO, 999). However, when labeling neglect as a form of maltreatment, we have to bear in mind that sometimes it is difficult to distinguish between neglect and limitations of the family to provide in the context of poverty. Child maltreatment and inadequate caregiving, in general, are closely related to other specific ACEs in childhood and adolescence. Having a family member with a mental disorder, especially a parent, may have various negative repercussions on a childs life. Maternal depression is related to more hostile, negative or disengaged parenting, and to lower parenting warmth. Thus there will be attachment issues where the child will not have a role model or someone to whom to turn to when facing any sort of problems.