Academic Level at Time of Presentation
Senior
Major
Nursing
List all Project Mentors & Advisor(s)
Jessica Naber, RN, PhD
Presentation Format
Poster Presentation
Abstract/Description
Throughout the health care industry, providers are failing to recognize the implications that adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) have upon adult health. As a result, these patients not only have to endure these traumas, but they’re also faced with crippling health conditions that accompany them including depression, heart disease and obesity. The prevalence of common high-risk behaviors such as smoking, drinking and illicit drug use can also co-exist with adversity, which leads to an exacerbation of already poor health. This presentation aims to relay the significance of adopting a trauma informed care (TIC) approach early in the lives of clients to aid in treatment and prevention of co-morbidities associated with ACEs and provide recommendations for practice. In this context, TIC is an approach based on knowledge of traumatization that results in a sense of safety and predictability, protects from further trauma and offers a pathway to recovery. Several studies have been analyzed to support implementing TIC into practice, including quasi-experimental studies and a meta-analysis. Their results suggest that TIC plays a vital role in the prevention of ACEs and minimizes the long-term the health consequences associated with trauma exposure. A TIC approach empowers the victim and creates an environment that fosters resilience to overcome adversity. Educating HCPs about ACEs and TIC, leads to prompt recognition of risk factors associated with trauma and therefore will allow them to implement these findings into practice. A nationwide TIC approach will allow individuals to thrive and achieve lifelong health and success, therefore decreasing health disparities.
Included in
Cardiovascular Diseases Commons, Disorders of Environmental Origin Commons, Family Medicine Commons, Family Practice Nursing Commons, Interprofessional Education Commons, Psychiatric and Mental Health Commons, Social and Behavioral Sciences Commons, Substance Abuse and Addiction Commons
Implementing trauma-informed care early in the lives of children and adults
Throughout the health care industry, providers are failing to recognize the implications that adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) have upon adult health. As a result, these patients not only have to endure these traumas, but they’re also faced with crippling health conditions that accompany them including depression, heart disease and obesity. The prevalence of common high-risk behaviors such as smoking, drinking and illicit drug use can also co-exist with adversity, which leads to an exacerbation of already poor health. This presentation aims to relay the significance of adopting a trauma informed care (TIC) approach early in the lives of clients to aid in treatment and prevention of co-morbidities associated with ACEs and provide recommendations for practice. In this context, TIC is an approach based on knowledge of traumatization that results in a sense of safety and predictability, protects from further trauma and offers a pathway to recovery. Several studies have been analyzed to support implementing TIC into practice, including quasi-experimental studies and a meta-analysis. Their results suggest that TIC plays a vital role in the prevention of ACEs and minimizes the long-term the health consequences associated with trauma exposure. A TIC approach empowers the victim and creates an environment that fosters resilience to overcome adversity. Educating HCPs about ACEs and TIC, leads to prompt recognition of risk factors associated with trauma and therefore will allow them to implement these findings into practice. A nationwide TIC approach will allow individuals to thrive and achieve lifelong health and success, therefore decreasing health disparities.