Many children experience harmful events during childhood, such as neglect, violence, or parental substance use or mental health problems. In international research literature, such experiences are referred to as Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs).
These experiences have been shown to have long-term effects on physical, psychological, and social wellbeing. The ACElife project investigates adverse childhood experiences and their impact on later life, as well as effective ways to prevent them.
ACElife is a joint research consortium between the Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare (THL), the University of Helsinki, the University of Eastern Finland, and Tampere University, which leads the consortium.
Goals
The consortium has three main impact objectives:
- Increasing understanding among social and health service developers, researchers, and children about adverse childhood experiences and their effects
- Improving the effectiveness of services that protect children
- Promoting the realization of children's rights
Implementation
ACElife produces longitudinal, register-based research on the characteristics and effects of ACEs on later life, comprehensively evaluates the effectiveness of current practices and services, and examines how different forms of child maltreatment are identified in service systems.
In 2026–2028, the THL subproject and work package will focus on especially on evaluating the effectiveness child protection services, using register, document, and survey data.
Funding
The project is funded by the Strategic Research Council at the Academy of Finland (SRC)
Partners
Strategic Research Council, Tampere University, University of Eastern Finland, University of Helsinki
Contact details
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