The ACE (Adverse Childhood Experiences) score is not an average; rather, it is a cumulative score that measures the number of adverse experiences an individual has had during their childhood. The ACE study was conducted by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and Kaiser Permanente in the 1990s.
The ACE score is calculated by giving one point for each of the following adverse experiences during childhood:
- Physical abuse
- Emotional abuse
- Sexual abuse
- Physical neglect
- Emotional neglect
- Household substance abuse
- Household mental illness
- Parental separation or divorce
- Domestic violence in the household
- Incarceration of a household member
So, the ACE score can range from 0 to 10, depending on the number of adverse experiences a person has had. It's important to note that higher ACE scores are associated with a greater risk of various health and social problems later in life.
An ACE score of 5 would indicate that the individual has experienced five of the adverse childhood experiences mentioned above. However, it is not an average, and there is no specific "average" ACE score as it varies widely among individuals and populations. The impact of ACEs on an individual's life can be complex and can vary depending on other factors in their life and the presence of protective factors.